MONTANA
STATE
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5R 1 • 52 9 MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
^rJL S 581.529 N1TSPS 1989 C.I Mathews
N I 7S pS Sensitive plant surveys. 1 989 U.S Fore
1989 lllllllllllllllllllll'l<MM|i||||||||||||||||
3 0864 00084398 0
STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTIOM
r^AY 1 3 1993
MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59620
SENSITIVE PLANT SURVEYS: 19 8 9
U.S. FOREST SERVICE, REGION 1
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST
MONTANA
Prepared for:
United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Gallatin National Forest
Federal Building
P.O. Box 130
Bozeman, Montana 59771
Prepared by:
Sarah Y. Mathews, Botanist
Montana Natural Heritage Progreun
State Library Building
1515 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59620
Order No. 43-0398-9-510
December 1989
|„ t»».;< i w "^
This is an abridged report
For the full report please contact:
The Montana Natural Heritage Program
1515 E Sixth Ave
Helena, Montana 59620
406-444-3009
Table of Contents
Page
SECTION ONE: Sensitive Plant Surveys of Proposed 1
Timber Sales at Mill Creek and Tie Creek,
and the Exploratory Mine Site on the East
Boulder River.
I. Introduction 1
II. Methods 2
III. Conclusions 2
IV. Species List 4
Appendix A: Rare plant species found in Mill Creek 24
drainage
Carex multicostata 25
Eriqeron f ormosissimus 30
SECTION TWO: Individual Sensitive Plant Surveys on the 3 5
Gallatin National Forest
Introduction 35
Aqoseris sp. nov. 36
Aquileqia brevistyla 43
Balsamorhiza macrophylla 48
Castilleia gracillima 58
Eriqeron eatonii var. eatonii 70
Salix wolf ii var. wolf ii 74
Literature Cited 84
communis. Picea engelmannii. Pinus contorta , Populus tremuloides
and Pseudotsuqa menziesii. Benchland forests are dominated by
Pinus contorta. Undrained bog land along the river supports a
sedge-forb community.
II. METHODS
The Mill Creek Timber Sale area was surveyed on 14-15 and
19-22 June 1989, and 10-14, 17-18 and 21 July 1989. Surveys of
the Tie Creek Timber Sale were conducted on 26-28 June 1989 and
19-20 July 1989. A late-season survey of the East Boulder Mine
Site was conducted on 8-9 August 1989, as a follow-up to earlier
surveys of the site by other parties. Although the primary
purpose of the surveys was to determine the occurrence or absence
of plant species included on the sensitive plant list of Region 1
(Northern Region) of the U.S. Forest Service, species inventories
of each area were prepared during the surveys as part of the
working method. Maps of each survey area were provided to the
author by the Gallatin National Forest, and formed the basis of a
working strategy. Individual sale units and building sites were
located and surveyed, and all vascular plant species observed
were recorded. Special attention was given to drainages, sites
with unusual substrates, and any other habitats where it was
thought that uncommon species might occur.
Identification of collections was made following Dorn
(1984), Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973), Hitchcock et al. (1969),
Hitchcock and Chase (1950) and Hermann (1970) . A complete list
of the vascular plant species observed during the surveys, and
the study area(s) in which they were found, is presented in Part
IV of Section One (pp. 4-23) .
III. CONCLUSIONS
Sites of proposed timber harvest and mining activity on the
Gallatin National Forest were the focus of sensitive plant
surveys during the 1989 field season. An inventory of plant
species was made for each of the three areas of proposed use.
These inventories did not reveal the presence of any plant taxa
included on the list of sensitive plant species for Region 1
(Northern Region) of the U.S. Forest Service. This is not to say
that no designated sensitive species occur within the surveyed
areas. Although intensive, the surveys should be regarded as
incomplete for several reasons. The surveys were conducted in
June and July. Species in bloom either before or after this
could have been missed. While inventories of habitat types and
sale units were extensive, total physical coverage of each sale
unit of the proposed timber sales was not possible. This leaves
open the question of whether or not a sensitive species
occurrence may have been overlooked.
Two plant species currently included on the Montana Natural
Heritage Program list of plant species of special concern (Shelly
1989) were found during the surveys in the Mill Creek drainage:
Carex multicostata and Erigeron formosissimus. Both of these
species are also listed as "Rare" by Lesica et al. (1984).
Additionally, Carex multicostata is included on the U.S. Forest
Service Region 1 Watch List (U.S. Department of Agriculture
1988). Appendix A of Section One (pp. 24-34) contains reports
for these species.
IV. SPECIES LIST
A list of 294 vascular plant taxa, observed during
inventories in the Mill Creek and Tie Creek drainages and the
East Boulder mine site, is presented below; 50 families are
represented. The list is arranged systematically by family, and
alphabetically by genus and species within the families.
Nomenclature and common name usage follow Hitchcock and Cronquist
(1973) . Abbreviations following the names indicate occurrence in
one or more of the survey sites (EB = East Boulder Mine Site,
MC = Mill Creek Timber Sale, TC = Tie Creek Timber Sale,
ALL = occurs at all survey sites) .
EQUISETACEAE (Horsetail Family)
Equisetum arvense (common horsetail) MC TC
Moist sites, widespread.
Equisetum laeviqatum (smooth scouring-rush) MC
Moist to dry banks.
POLYPODIACEAE (Fern Family)
Athyrium f ilix-femina (lady-fern) MC
Moist woods and stream banks.
Cystopteris fraqilis (brittle bladder fern) TC
Rocky stream banks.
Dryopteris austriaca (mountain wood-fern) MC
Moist drainages.
Woodsia oreqana (woodsia) ALL
Rocks and dry banks.
CUPRESSACEAE (Juniper Family)
Juniperus communis (common juniper) ALL
Dry woodlands.
Juniperus horizontalis (creeping juniper) ALL
Dry woodlands.
Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper) MC
Dry woodlands.
PINACEAE (Pine Family)
Abies lasiocarpa (subalpine fir) ALL
Moist subalpine forests.
Picea enaelmannii (Engelmann spruce)
Moist montane to subalpine forests.
Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine)
Dry forests.
Pinus flexilis (limber pine)
Dry, open woodlands.
Pseudotsuqa menziesii (Douglas-fir)
Montane forests.
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
SALICACEAE (Willow Family)
Populus tremuloides (aspen)
Draws and moist meadows.
Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood)
Draws and stream bottoms.
MC TC
Salix bebbiana var. bebbiana (Bebb's willow)
Limestone talus.
EB
BETULACEAE (Birch Family)
Alnus sinuata (Sitka alder)
Stream banks and moist forest edges.
ALL
URTICACEAE (Nettle Family)
Urtica dioica (stinging nettle)
Moist sites, widespread.
ALL
POLYGONACEAE (Buckwheat Family)
Erioqonum f lavum (yellow buckwheat)
Dry, rocky knolls.
TC
Erioqonum umbel latum (sulfurf lower)
Dry banks and meadows.
Polyqonum douqlasii (Douglas' knotweed)
Dry meadows and forests.
ALL
PORTULACACEAE (Purslane Family)
Claytonia lanceolata (western springbeauty)
Meadows.
MC
Lewisia rediviva (bitterroot)
Montane, heavy soils.
MC
Monti a perfoliata (miner's lettuce)
Montane forest understory.
TC
CARYOPHYLLACEAE (Pink Family)
Arenaria conqesta (capitate sandwort)
Dry meadows and open woods.
Arenaria latifolia (bluntleaf sandwort)
Dry rocky sites to open woodlands.
MC TC
Cerastium arvense (field chickweed)
Meadows.
MC TC
Cerastium vulgatum (common chickweed)
Moist stream banks.
TC
Silene noctif lora (sticky cockle)
Waste places.
RANUNCULACEAE (Buttercup Family)
Actaea rubra (baneberry)
Moist banks and ravines.
MC TC
Anemone multif ida (Pacific anemone)
Open woods and banks.
Anemone patens (pasqueflower)
Meadows.
MC TC
Acruileqia f lavescens (yellow columbine)
Woods and open slopes.
MC TC
Clematis columbiana (Columbia virgin ' s-bower)
Montane understory.
ALL
Clematis liqusticifolia (western virgin' s-bower)
Open hillsides.
EB
Delphinium bicolor (little larkspur)
Meadows to dry banks.
Delphinium occidentale (western larkspur)
Moist meadows and stream bottoms.
Ranunculus sceleratus (celeryleaved buttercup)
Bog border.
TC
7
Ranunculus uncinatus (little buttercup) MC TC
Moist meadows and stream bottoms.
Thalictrum occidentale (western meadowrue) MC TC
Moist woods.
BERBERIDACEAE (Barberry Family)
Berberis repens (creeping Oregongrape) ALL
Montane understory.
BRASSICACEAE (Mustard Family)
Alyssum alyssoides (pale alyssum) EB
Waste places.
Arabis glabra (towermustard) ALL
Dry forests.
Arabis holboellii (Holboell's rockcress) MC
Dry forests and outcrops.
Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd's purse) MC TC
Waste places.
Draba crassifolia (thickleaved draba) MC
Meadows.
Draba nemorosa (woods draba) MC TC
Dry woodlands.
Erysimum asperum (rough wallflower) MC TC
Dry banks.
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (water-cress) MC TC
Small streams and backwaters.
Thlaspi arvense (field pennycress) MC TC
Waste places.
Thlaspi montanum (wild candytuft) MC TC
Meadows and rocky banks.
CRASSULACEAE
Sedum lanceolatum (lanceleaved stonecrop) MC TC
Dry forests and banks.
SAXIFRAGACEAE
Heuchera cylindrica (roundleaf alumroot)
Rocks.
ALL
Heuchera parviflora (common alumroot)
Dry meadows and rocky sites.
Lithophragma parviflora (smallf lowered fringecup)
Meadows .
MC TC
MC TC
Mitella pentandra (alpine mitrewort)
Moist streambanks and bogs.
Mitella trif ida (three-tooth mitrewort)
Widespread in woods and on banks.
Parnassia palustris (northern grass-of-Parnassus)
Moist streambanks.
EB
Saxif raqa arquta (brook saxifrage)
Moist streambanks and drainages.
Saxifraqa bronchialis (matted saxifrage)
Rocks.
ALL
GROSSULARIACEAE (Currant Family)
Ribes americanum (black currant)
Moist streambanks and drainages.
Ribes cereum (squaw currant)
Woodlands and open hillsides.
Ribes hudsonianum (stinking currant)
Steambanks.
MC
TC
Ribes lacustre (prickly currant)
Moist woods and streambanks.
Ribes viscosissimum (sticky currant)
Open slopes.
MC
ROSACEAE
Amelanchier alnifolia (western seirviceberry)
Open woodlands and hillsides.
Crataegus columbiana (Columbia hawthorn)
Draws .
ALL
TC
9
Crataegus douglasii (black hawthorn) TC
Draws.
Fragaria virginiana (strawberry) ALL
Woodlands and meadows.
Geum macrophvllum (largeleaved avens) ALL
Moist stream banks and meadows.
Geum trif lorum (prairie smoke) MC TC
Meadows.
Physocarpus malvaceus (mallow ninebark) ALL
Warm woodland and open slopes.
Potentilla fruticosa (shrubby cinquefoil) ALL
Meadows, slopes and open woods.
Potentilla glandulosa (sticky cinquefoil) ALL
Dry, often rocky, sites.
Potentilla gracilis (slender cinquefoil) ALL
Meadows, open woodlands.
Prunus virginiana (chokecherry) ALL
Draws and open slopes.
Rosa acicularis (prickly rose) MC
Open slopes.
Rubus idaeus (red raspberry) ALL
Dry woods and slopes.
Rubus parvif lorus (thimbleberry) ALL
Moist woods and openings.
Sorbus scopulina (mountain-ash) MC TC
Open slopes and woodlands.
Spiraea betulifolia (shiny-leaf spiraea) ALL
Woods and open slopes.
FABACEAE (Pea Family)
Astragalus miser (weedy milk-vetch) ALL
Widespread in dry woods and on banks.
Hedysarum sulphurescens (yellow hedysarum) MC
Open, dry woodlands.
Lupinus argenteus (silvery lupine) MC TC
Meadows and open woodlands.
10
Oxytropis lagopus (rabbit-foot crazyweed) MC
Roadside.
Oxytropis sericea (silky crazyweed) TC
Dry meadows and hillsides.
Trifolium hybridum (alsike clover) MC
Waste places and meadows.
Trifolium repens (white clover) MC
Waste places and meadows.
Vicia americana (American vetch) TC
Meadows.
GERANIACEAE (Geranium Family)
Geranium bicknellii (Bicknell's geranium) MC
Dry banks.
Geranium richardsonii (white geranium) ALL
Woodlands.
Geranium viscosissimum (sticky geranium) ALL
Meadows and open woodlands.
LINACEAE (Flax Family)
Linum perenne (blue flax) TC
Meadows and draws.
ACERACEAE (Maple Family)
Acer qlabrum (Rocky Mountain maple) ALL
Moist woodland.
RHAMNACEAE (Buckthorn Family)
Ceonothus velutinus (buckbrush) ALL
Dry woods and open slopes.
HYPERICACEAE (St. John's Wort Family)
Hypericum anaqalloides (bog St. John's Wort) EB
Stream banks.
11
VIOLACEAE (Violet Family)
Viola adunca (early blue violet) MC
Moist woods and openings.
Viola canadensis (Canada violet) MC
Moist woods.
Viola nuttallii (Nuttall's violet) MC
Moist woods to dry meadows.
Viola nuttallii var. vallicola (valley yellow violet) TC
Moist to dry meadows.
ELAEAGNACEAE (Oleaster Family)
Shepherdia canadensis (buffalo-berry) ALL
Montane to subalpine understory.
ONAGRACEAE (Evening-primose Family)
Epilobium anqustifolium (fireweed) ALL
Widespread in woods, meadows and on banks.
Epilobium qlaberrimum (smooth willow-herb) MC TC
Moist stream banks.
Epilobium latifolium (red willow-herb) MC
Rocky streambank.
APIACEAE (Parsley Family)
Angelica arquta (sharptooth angelica) ALL
Moist woods, stream banks and meadows.
Cymopterus bipinnatus (Hayden's cymopterus) MC
Open, rocky places.
Heracleum lanatum (cow-parsnip) ALL
Moist meadows and stream banks.
Lomatium dissectum (fern-leaved lomatium) MC TC
Meadows to dry banks.
Lomatium triternatum (nine-leaflet lomatium) • MC TC
Meadows and moist draws.
Osmorhiza chilensis (mountain sweet-cicely) ALL
Widespread in woods and along streams.
CORNACEAE (Dogwood Family)
ERICACEAE
Arctostaphvlos uva-ursa (kinnikinnick)
Dry woodlands.
Chimaphila umbellata (prince's pine)
Moist forests.
PRIMULACEAE (Primrose Family)
12
Sanicula marilandica (black snake-root)
Streambanks and moist draws.
TC
Cornus stolonifera (red-osier dogwood)
Moist stream bottoms.
ALL
Pterospora andromedea (pinedrops)
Coniferous forests.
EB
Pyrola asarifolia (common pink wintergreen]
Moist forests.
ALL
Pyrola chlorantha (green wintergreen)
Moist forests.
MC TC
Pyrola minor (lesser wintergreen)
Moist forests.
MC
Pyrola secunda (one-sided wintergreen)
Moist forests.
MC EB
Pyrola uniflora (woodnymph)
Moist forests.
MC TC
Vaccinium globulare (globe huckleberry)
Moist upland forests.
Vaccinium scoparium (grouse whortleberry)
Moist upland forests.
MC TC
ALL
Androsace f iliformis (rock jasmine)
Moist stream banks.
TC
Dodecatheon coniuqens (desert shooting star)
Meadows .
MC TC
GENTIANACEAE (Gentian Family)
Frasera speciosa (giant frasera) EB
Open woodland.
MENYANTHACEAE (Buck-bean Family)
Menyanthes trifoliata (buck-bean) ALL
Bogs and lakes.
APOCYNACEAE (Dogbane Family)
Apocynum androsaemi folium (spreading dogbane) TC
Dry slopes and meadows.
POLEMONIACEAE (Phlox Family)
Collomia linearis (narrow-leaf collomia) MC TC
Meadows and open woodlands.
Microsteris gracilis (pink microsteris) MC TC
Dry to moderately open places.
Phlox multiflora (phlox) MC TC
Meadows and banks.
HYDROPHYLLACEAE (Waterleaf Family)
Hydrophyllum capitatum (ballhead waterleaf) TC
Stream banks.
Nemophila breviflora (Great Basin nemophila) MC TC
Dry meadows and open woods.
Phacelia hastata (silverleaf phacelia) MC
Dry banks.
Phacelia linearis (threadleaf phacelia) MC TC
Dry banks and open woods.
BORAGINACEAE
Cynoqlossum officinale (hound' s-tongue) • MC TC
Waste places.
Hackelia patens (spreading stickseed) MC TC
Meadows and dry banks.
14
Lithospermum ruderale (Columbia puccoon) MC TC
Dry meadows and open woods.
Mertensia ciliata (broadleaf bluebells) ALL
Moist meadows and stream bottoms.
Mertensia oblongifolia (leafy bluebells) MC TC
Meadows and dry hillsides.
Myosotis sylvatica var. alpestris (wood forget-me-not) MC TC
Meadows, openings and stream banks.
LAMIACEAE (Mint Family)
Aqastache urticifolia (nettle-leaf horse-mint) MC TC
Meadows and dry banks.
Dracocephalum parvif lorum (American dragonhead) MC
Dry banks.
Mentha arvensis (field mint) TC
Moist banks.
Monarda f istulosa (wild bergamot) MC TC
Meadows and dry banks.
Prunella vulgaris (self-heal) ALL
Widespread in moist places.
SCROPHULARIACEAE (Figwort Family)
Besseya wyominqensis (Wyoming besseya) TC
Dry meadows and benches.
Castilleja crista-galli (cock's comb paintbrush) ALL
Dry woods on shallow soil.
Castilleja miniata (scarlet paintbrush) ALL
Moist woods, draws and stream banks.
Castilleja rhexifolia (rhexia-leaved paintbrush) MC
Moist upland meadows and openings.
Collinsia parviflora (blue-eyed Mary) ALL
Dry woodlands.
Mimulus quttatus (yellow monkey-flower) ALL
Moist steambanks and bogs.
Mimulus lewisii (Lewis' monkey-flower) MC
Moist streambanks and wet meadows.
15
Pedicularis bracteosa (bracted lousewort) TC
Open, warm woodlands.
Penstemon attenuatus (sulfur penstemon) MC TC
Dry woods and banks.
Penstemon deustus (hot-rock penstemon) MC
Rocky banks.
Penstemon eriantherus (fuzzytongue penstemon) MC TC
Dry woods and banks.
Penstemon fruticosus (shrubby penstemon) ALL
Rocky slopes and talus.
Verbascum thapsus (common mullein) MC TC
Waste places.
Veronica americana (American brooklime) TC
Moist stream banks.
Veronica biloba (bilobed speedwell) TC
Moist stream banks.
Veronica serpyllifolia (thyme-leaved speedwell) MC TC
Moist stream banks and meadows.
OROBANCHACEAE (Broomrape Family)
Orobanche unif lora (naked broomrape) TC
Bogs and moist stream banks.
RUBIACEAE
Galium aparine (cleavers) MC TC
Banks and waste places.
Galium boreale (northern bedstraw) ALL
Widespread in moist to dry woods.
Galium triflorum (sweetscented bedstraw) ALL
Moist forests.
CAPRIFOLIACEAE (Honeysuckle Family)
Linnaea borealis (twinflower) ALL
Moist forests.
Lonicera utahensis (Utah honeysuckle) MC TC
Moist forests.
Sambucus racemosa (elderberry)
Forest openings and draws.
SvTOphoricarpos albus (common snowberry)
Meadows .
16
MC TC
MC TC
Symphoricarpos oreophilus (mountain snowberry]
Dry woods and upland meadows.
MC TC
VALERIANACEAE (Valerian Family)
Valeriana dioica (northern valerian)
Widespread in forest understory.
ALL
CAMPANULACEAE (Harebell Family)
Campanula rotundifolia (harebell)
Meadows to rocky banks.
ASTERACEAE (Aster Family)
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow)
Dry meadows, openings and banks.
Aqoseris aurantiaca (orange agoseris)
Moist to dry meadows.
Aqoseris qlauca (pale agoseris)
Dry meadows and banks.
Aqoseris qlauca var. dasycephala (pale agoseris)
Moist to dry meadows.
Anaphalis margaritacea (pearly-everlasting)
Widespread in forest openings.
Antennaria anaphaloides (tall pussytoes)
Dry meadows.
Antennaria microphylla (rosy pussytoes)
Dry woodlands and meadows.
Antennaria racemosa (raceme pussytoes)
Cool woodlands.
ALL
ALL
MC
ALL
MC
Arnica amplexicaulis (clasping arnica)
River banks.
EB
Arnica cordifolia (heart-leaf arnica)
Cool woodlands.
ALL
17
Arnica latifolia (mountain arnica) ALL
Moist to dry woodlands.
Arnica lonaifolia (seep-spring arnica)
Moist stream banks.
MC
Arnica sororia (twin arnica) TC
Moist to dry meadows.
Artemisia frigida (fringed sage) TC
Dry meadows and banks.
Artemisia ludoviciana (prairie sage) TC
Dry meadows .
Artemisia michauxiana (Michaux's mugwort) MC TC
Dry, often rocky sites.
Artemisia tridentata (big sage) MC TC
Dry meadows and openings.
Aster foliaceus (leafy aster) MC EB
Moist to dry meadows and openings.
Aster modestus (great northern aster) EB
Dry, open woodland.
Balsamorhiza saqittata (arrowleaf balsamroot) MC TC
Dry meadows and openings.
Brickellia qrandiflora (large-flowered brickellia) EB
Talus slopes.
Chrvsopsis villosa (hairy golden-aster) ALL
Dry banks and waste places.
Cirsium arvense (Canadian thistle) ALL
Meadows, woods and waste places.
Crepis acuminata (long-leaved hawksbeard) TC
Dry meadows.
Crepis intermedia (gray hawksbeard) TC
Dry meadows.
Crepis modocensis (low hawksbeard) TC
Dry meadows and openings.
Crepis runcinata (dandelion hawksbeard) TC
Dry meadows and openings.
Eriqeron caespitosus (gray daisy) EB TC
Rocky places.
18
Eriqeron compositus (dwarf mountain fleabane) ALL
Rocky places and roadsides.
Eriqeron formosissimus (beautiful daisy) MC
Meadows and open places.
Eriqeron ochroleucus (buff fleabane) TC
Dry woodlands.
Gaillardia aristata (blanket-flower) ALL
Dry meadows and banks.
Haplopappus acaulis (stemless goldenweed) TC
Rocky banks.
Helianthella unif lora (Rocky Mountain helianthella) ALL
Open woods and meadows.
Hieracium albiflorum (white-flowered hawkweed) ALL
Dry woodland.
Hieracium cynoqlossoides (hounds-tongue hawkweed) EB TC
Dry woodlands and meadows.
Hieracium qracile (slender hawkweed) MC
Moist upland openings.
Hieracium umbellatum (narrow-leaved hawkweed) EB TC
Dry woodland.
Rudbeckia laciniata (tall coneflower) EB
Moist meadows and stream banks.
Rudbeckia occidentalis (black head) TC
Moist meadows and stream banks.
Senecio canus (woolly groundsel) MC TC
Dry meadows and banks.
Senecio crassulus (thick-leaved groundsel) TC
Dry meadows and forest openings.
Senecio dimorphophvllus (Payson's groundsel) MC
Dry meadows and banks.
Senecio inteqerrimus (western groundsel) MC
Meadows.
Senecio pseudaureus (streambank butterweed) EB
Moist meadows and steam banks.
Senecio serra (butterweed groundsel) TC
Meadows and draws.
19
Senecio triangularis (arrowleaf groundsel) ALL
Moist meadows and stream banks.
Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) EB
Moist meadows and openings.
Solidago multiradiata (northern goldenrod) EB MC
Dry woods and openings.
Tanacetum vulgare (common tansy) MC
Moist stream banks and waste places.
Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion) ALL
Meadows, open woods and banks.
Townsendia parrvi (Parry's townsendia) MC TC
Dry meadows and openings.
JUNCACEAE (Rush Family)
Luzula parvif lora (smallf lowered woodrush) MC
Moist streambanks and drainages.
CYPERACEAE (Sedge Family)
Carex disperma (soft leaved sedge) EB
Moist meadows.
Carex geyeri (elk sedge) ALL
Moist to dry forest.
Carex multicostata (many-ribbed sedge) MC
Moist banks.
Carex rostrata (beaked sedge) ALL
Saturated meadows and banks.
Eriophorum polystachion (many-spiked cotton-grass) TC
Lakes and bogs.
POACEAE (Grass Family)
Agropyron spicatum (bluebunch wheatgrass) EB TC
Dry woods and meadows.
Agropyron caninum var. andinum (bearded wheatgrass) EB
Dry forest and openings.
Agrostis exarata (spike bentgrass) MC
Moist forest and stream banks.
20
Agrostis scabra (rough hair-grass) EB MC
Dry forests.
Beckmannia syziqachne (sloughgrass) TC
Saturated meadows and banks.
Bromus ciliatus (fringed brome) EB
Wet meadows .
Bromus inermis (smooth brome) ALL
Dry meadows and forest openings.
Bromus japonicus (Japanese brome) EB
Dry forests and openings.
Bromus tectorum (cheat grass) ALL
Dry meadows and waste places.
Bromus vulgaris (narrow-flowered brome) MC
Dry forest and rocky slopes.
Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint reedgrass) EB MC
Moist meadows and openings.
Calamagrostis rubescens (pinegrass) ALL
Dry forests.
Dactylis glomerata (orchard-grass) ALL
Dry woods and waste places.
Danthonia californica (California oatgrass) TC
Meadows and forest openings.
Danthonia intermedia (timber oatgrass) EB
Dry forests.
Danthonia spicata (common wild oats) EB
Dry forests.
Danthonia unispicata (onespike danthonia) TC
Dry meadows and openings.
Deschampsia elonqata (slender hairgrass) MC TC
Moist banks.
Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue) MC TC
Meadows and forest openings.
Festuca occidentalis (western fescue) MC TC
Dry forests.
Festuca ovina (sheep fescue) MC
Meadows and dry banks.
Glyceria striata (fowl mannagrass)
Moist forests and banks.
21
EB TC
Koeleria cristata (Junegrass)
Meadows.
ALL
Melica smithii (Smith's melic)
Forest understory.
Melica spectabilis (showy oniongrass)
Moist to dry meadows.
Melica subulata (Alaska oniongrass)
Dry woods.
Melica subulata var. pammelii (Alaska oniongrass)
Moist forests.
MC
MC TC
MC
TC
Oryzopsis asperifolia (roughleaf ricegrass)
Open forests.
Oryzopsis exigua (little ricegrass)
Rocky banks.
Phleum alpinum (alpine timothy)
Moist upland openings.
Phleum pratense (common timothy)
Dry forests and meadows.
Poa palustris (fowl bluegrass)
Moist forests.
EB
MC
MC
ALL
TC
Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass) ALL
Widespread in forests and meadows.
Poa scabrella (pine bluegrass) TC
Forest understory.
Stipa occidentalis (western needlegrass) EB
Dry forests.
Stipa occidentalis var. minor (little needlegrass) EB
Dry forests and openings.
Trisetum canescens (tall trisetum) EB
Dry forests and openings.
Trisetum spicatum (spike trisetum) EB
Dry forests.
LILIACEAE (Lily Family)
Allium brevistylum (short-style onion) MC TC
Moist banks and meadows.
Allium cernuum (nodding onion) EB
Dry open sites.
Allium textile (textile onion) TC
Dry banks and meadows.
Calochortus qunnisonii (sego-lily) EB TC
Dry meadows and forest openings.
Disporum trachycarpum (wartberry fairy-bell) ALL
Moist forests.
Erythronium qrandif lorum (glacier-lily) MC TC
Moist forests and openings.
Fritillaria atropurpurea (checker lily) MC
Open forests.
Fritillaria pudica (yellow bell) MC
Meadows.
Smilacina racemosa (western false Solomon's seal) ALL
Moist woods and openings.
Smilacina stellata (starry false Solomon's seal) MC
Moist banks.
Streptopus amplexifolius (twisted-stalk) ALL
Moist forests.
Zyqadenus elegans (elegant death-camas) TC
Dry forest and meadows.
Zyqadenus venenosus (meadow death-camas) MC TC
Meadows.
IRIDACEAE (Iris Family)
Iris missouriensis (western blue flag) TC
Moist meadows and openings.
Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass) • EB
Moist banks.
ORCHIDACEAE (Orchid Family)
Calypso bulbosa (fairy-slipper) MC TC
Moist forests.
Corallorhiza maculata (Pacific coral-root) ALL
Moist forests.
Corallorhiza striata (striped coral-root) TO
Moist forests.
Corallorhiza trif ida (early coral-root) MC
Moist forests.
Goodyera oblonqifolia (rattlesnake-plantain) ALL
Moist forests.
Habenaria dilitata (white bog-orchid) MC TC
Moist banks and openings.
Habenaria saccata (slender bog-orchid) MC
Moist banks and openings.
Habenaria unalascensis (Alaska rein-orchid) TC
Dry forests.
Listera cordata (heart-leaf twayblade) MC
Moist forests.
Spiranthes roinanzof f iana (ladies-tresses) EB
Moist stream banks.
APPENDIX A
25
Carex multicostata
I. SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION
1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Carex multicostata Hook.
2. COMMON NAME: Many-ribbed sedge
3. FAMILY: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
4. GENUS: According to Hermann (1970), there are at
least 600 species of Carex in North America. in
the Rocky Mountain region there are 165 species,
making it the most diverse montane region for
sedges. Differences among species are often small,
and the group is not well understood by range
ecologists (Hermann 1970) .
5. SPECIES: Carex multicostata is a western species
of dry meadows and open woods in the mountains; it
is more common in Oregon and California, but occurs
east to Montana and north to Washington (Hermann
1970) .
B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS
1. FEDERAL STATUS
a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: Carex
multicostata is not currently listed in the
U.S.F.W.S. Notice of Review (U.S. Department
of Interior 1985) .
b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Carex multicostata is
currently included on the Watch List for
Region 1 (Northern Region) of the U.S. Forest
Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1988) .
2. STATE: Carex multicostata is currently listed by
the Montana Natural Heritage Program (Shelly 1989)
as "critically imperiled in the state" (state rank
= SI) . It is also included on the list of vascular
plants of rare status by the Montana Rare Plant
Project (Lesica et al. 1984) , indicating that it is
either "limited to a resticted geographic range" or
"occurs sparsely over a wider area in Montana."
These state ranks do not currently provide any
direct legal protection for Carex multicostata.
DESCRIPTION
1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Carex
multicostata is a tufted perennial sedge growing
from short woody rootstocks. The flowers, which
are reduced to ovaries and surrounding bracts
and/or anthers subtended by scales, arise on
angular stems above the flat green leaves and are
tightly aggregated into light brown heads. The
stems are ribbed.
2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Densely caespitose from
short woody rootstocks; stout culms 3-9 dm,
striate, surpassing the leaves; leaves flat, 2.5-6
mm wide, 3 or 4 per culm; spikes gynaecandrous,
aggregated into oblong heads, 1.5-4 cm long and 14-
20 mm thick; scales ovate, obtuse to acute or
slightly cuspidate, light reddish-brown with pale
three-nerved center and broad hyaline margins;
perigynia planoconvex, ovate, 3.5-5.5 mm long and
2-2.5 mm wide, subcoriaceous, green to straw-
colored, wing-margined, serrulate to below the
middle, conspicuously nerved dorsally, with a flat
bidentate beak which is often winged and serrulate
to the tip; achenes lenticular, 1.75-2.5 by 1.5 mm,
yellowish or light-brown, substipitate (adapted
from Hermann 1970) .
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
1. RANGE: Carex multicostata occurs from Montana to
Washington and south to California and Nevada.
2 . CURRENT SITES (MONTANA) : Carex multicostata is
recently (1989) documented from one site in
Montana. The species was collected on the Gallatin
National Forest during the sensitive plant
inventory of the Mill Creek Timber Sale area. It
was found by a spring in the headwaters area of
Counts Creek, along the road traversing the SW 1/4
of Section 14 of T6S, R9E. Additional location
data are provided in the element occurrence print-
out, p. 28, and the map, p. 29.
3. HISTORICAL SITES (MONTANA): Carex multicostata is
known from only four other sites in Montana. Two
collections have been made in Beaverhead County
(1959) , and two collections are from Gallatin
County (1921 and 1977).
HABITAT: Hermann (1970) lists the elevational range of
Carex multicostata as 330 m (1000 ft.) to 3700 m (11000
ft.)« In Montana, the species is known from above
timberline in the Bridger Range and from a large
27
subalpine (2400 m) meadow in the Mill Creek drainage of
Park County (element occurrence 004) . The latter site
is on a gentle (5%) north-facing slope at the upper edge
of a former clearcut, and is associated with common
montane and subalpine meadow species. It was growing
with Deschampsia elongata in a moist seep.
ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Carex
multicostata is listed as "critically imperiled in the
state" by the Montana Natural Heritage Program (Shelly
1989) ,. and as a plant of rare status by the Montana Rare
Plant Project (Lesica et al. 1984). It is not known how
many individuals occur at the Counts Creek site, from which
a single individual was collected. Because it occurs at a
site where timber sale-related road improvements will take
place, viability of the species in the area is possibly
threatened. It is recommended that the area be further
assessed for the extent and viability of the species before
road expansion takes place.
CAREX MULTICOSTATA
MANY-RIBBED SEDGE
Element occurrence code: PMCYP038Y0 . 004
Global rank: G5 Forest Service status: WATCH LIST
State rank: SI
Survey site name: COUNTS CREEK
County: Park
USGS quadrangle: KNOWLES PEAK
Township-range: 006S009E Section: 14
Township-range comments: SW4
Survey date: 1989-07-18
First observation: 1989
Last observation: 1989-07-18
Elevation: 7200
Slope/aspect: 0-3% / NORTH
Size (acres) : 1
Location:
ABSAROKA MOUNTAINS, COUNTS CREEK DRAINAGE, 1.3 5 AIR MI. SW
OF CONFLUENCE OF COUNTS AND MILL CREEKS, 1.1 AIR MI. SSW OF
GREEN MOUNTAIN.
Element occurrence data:
FULL EXTENT OF POPULATION UNKNOWN; SITE THREATENED BY ROAD
EXPANSION ASSOCIATED WITH TIMBER SALE; FURTHER ASSESSMENT OF
POPULATION SIZE AND VIABILITY NEEDED.
General site description:
SUBALPINE MEADOW CA. 2 0 YEARS FOLLOWING CLEARCUT; WITH
DESCHAMPSIA ELONGATA.
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, LIVINGSTON RANGER DISTRICT
Comments :
VOUCHER-MATHEWS , S. (227), 1989, MONT.
Information source:
MATHEWS, SARAH. DEPT. OF BIOLOGY, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY,
BOZEMAN, MT 59715.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
30
Eriqeron formosissimus
SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION
1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Eriqeron formosissimus Greene
2. COMMON NAME: Beautiful daisy
3. FAMILY: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
4. GENUS: According to Cronquist (1955), there are
approximately 200 species of Eriqeron. 130 of which
are centered in the western Cordillera of North
America north of Mexico.
5. SPECIES: Eriqeron formosissimus is a southern
Rocky Mountain species of meadows and open places
in the mountains, often found at high elevations.
Two varieties (viscidus and formosissimus) are
recognized, their ranges being nearly concurrent
(Cronquist 1955) .
B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS
1. FEDERAL STATUS
a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: Eriqeron
formosissimus is not currently listed in the
U.S.F.W.S. Notice of Review (U.S. Department
of Interior 1985) .
b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Eriqeron formosissimus
is not currently included on the list of
sensitive species for Region 1 (Northern
Region) of the U.S. Forest Service (U.S.
Department of Agriculture 1988) .
2. STATE: Eriqeron formosissimus is currently listed
by the Montana Natural Heritage Program (Shelly
1989) as "critically imperiled in the state" (state
rank = SI) . It is listed as a "vascular plant of
rare status" by the Montana Rare Plant Project
(Lesica et al. 1984), indicating that the species
is either "limited to a restricted geographic
range" or "occurs sparsely over a wider area in
Montana." These state ranks do not currently
provide any direct legal protection for Eriqeron
formosissimus.
31
C. DESCRIPTION
1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Eriqeron
formosissimus is a small perennial herb arising
from a caudex anchored by a system of fibrous
roots. A clump of slightly hairy leaves arises
from the caudex. These leaves are longer than wide
and are shaped like a spatula with rounded ends.
Flowering stems arise from the center of the clump,
and bear one to several blue or pink daisy-like
heads and leaves which become smaller upwards
towards the flowers. Leafy bracts subtending each
head have many short glandular hairs and/or longer
hairs without glands.
2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Medium perennial herb from
a simple or branched caudex with fibrous roots;
stems 1-4 dm, glandular above, often spreading-
hirsute; basal leaves oblanceolate to oval, apices
rounded, petiolate to subpetiolate, up to 15 cm
long and 15 mm wide; cauline leaves reduced
upwards, becoming sessile, lanceolate to ovate;
heads 1-several, the disk 1-2 cm wide; involucre 5-
8 mm, glandular and often hirsute; rays 75-150, 8-
15 mm long and less than or equal to 1mm wide,
blue, pink, or sometimes white; disk corollas 3.5-
4.4 nun long; achenes 2 -nerved (adapted from
Cronquist 1955) .
D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
1. RANGE: Eriqeron f ormosissimus is found chiefly in
the central and southern Rocky Mountains, occurring
from South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming through
Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, and extending into
Mexico (Cronquist 1955) .
2. CURRENT SITES (MONTANA): Eriqeron formosissimus is
recently documented (1989) from one site in
Montana. The species was collected in the Gallatin
National Forest near the headwaters of a tributary
to Davis Creek, in the Mill Creek drainage.
Location data are provided in the element
occurrence print-out, p. 33, and on the map, p. 34.
3. HISTORICAL SITES (MONTANA): Five previous
collections of E. formosissimus have been made in
Montana, from 1919 to 1979. These were taken from
Carbon, Gallatin, and Madison counties. The
locations and status of these populations is
currently unknown.
E. HABITAT
1. ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: Eriqeron formosissimus is a
mountain species of meadows and open ground. Near
Davis Creek (element occurrence 005) , plants were
found in a conifer forest opening at about 2100 m
(7000 ft.)- Species associated with E.
formosissimus at this site include:
Dactylis qlomerata (orchardgrass)
Hieracium gracile (slender hawkweed)
Phleum alpinum (alpine timothy)
Picea enqelmannii (Engelmann spruce)
Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine)
Pinus f lexilis (limberpine)
Pseudotsuqa menziesii (Douglas-fir)
2. TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS: Eriqeron formosissimus was
collected on a lower slope of Chico Peak near the
headwaters of a tributary to Davis Creek. Plants
occur on a gentle (10%) north-facing slope at about
2100 m (7000 ft.). Soils are sandy and derived
from metamorphic parent materials.
II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. THREATS TO POPULATION: Eriqeron formosissimus occurs
outside proposed harvest units of the Mill Creek Timber
Sale, but at a site where road building would destroy
known plants; however, habitat for regeneration would
still exist.
B. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Eriqeron
formosissimus was collected during the survey for
sensitive plants in the Mill Creek Timber Sale area. At
the time of collection, the species was not recognized
as a plant of rare status, and many pertinent population
parameters were not noted. Further assessment of the
size, viability and security of the population is
recommended before road expansion takes place.
C. SUMMARY: Eriqeron formosissimus is recently (1989)
documented from one site on the Gallatin National
Forest. This site lies within the proposed Mill Creek
Timber Sale, in an area designated for road expansion.
Eriqeron formosissimus is not currently included on the
list of sensitive plants for Region 1 of the U.S. Forest
Service, but is listed as "critically imperiled in the
state" by the Montana Natural Heritage Program (Shelly
1989) , and as a vascular plant of rare status by the
Montana Rare Plant Project (Lesica et al. 1984).
Further assessment of the population at the Mill Creek
site is recommended.
33
ERIGERON FORMOSISSIMUS
BEAUTIFUL DAISY
Element occurrence code: PDAST3M1K0 . 005
Global rank: G4 Forest Service status: NONE
State rank: SI
Survey site name: DAVIS CREEK
County: Park
USGS quadrangle: KNOWLES PEAK
Township-range: 006S009E Section:
Township-range comments: S2SE4
09
Survey date: 1989-07-18
First observation: 1989
Last observation: 1989-07-18
Elevation: 7000
Slope/aspect: 3-8% / NORTH
Size (acres) : 5
Location:
ABSAROKA MOUNTAINS, DAVIS CREEK DRAINAGE, 2.4 AIR MILES SSW
OF CONFLUENCE OF DAVIS AND MILL CREEKS, CA. 1.6 AIR MILES
NNE OF CHICO PEAK ("BALDY" ON EMIGRANT QUAD), 1 AIR MILE WSW
OF GREEN MOUNTAIN.
Element occurrence data:
ONLY A FEW PLANTS OBSERVED, BUT FULL EXTENT OF POPULATION
UNKNOWN; PLANTS OCCUR IN AREA VERY NEAR TO PROPOSED TIMBER
HARVEST UNITS, AND SPECIFICALLY IN AREA OF ROAD EXPANSION.
General site description:
SANDY SOIL, METAMORPHIC PARENT MATERIAL; MOIST OPENING IN
SUBALPINE FOREST, WITH PINUS CONTORTA, P. FLEXILIS,
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, PICEA ENGELMANNII, HIERACIUM GRACILE,
PHLEUM ALPINUM, DACTYLIS GLOMERATA.
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, LIVINGSTON RANGER DISTRICT
Comments:
VOUCHER
MATHEWS, S. (220), 1989, MONT.
Information source:
MATHEWS, SARAH. DEPT. OF BIOLOGY, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY,
BOZEMAN, MT 59715.
Elenient Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
SECTION TWO: Individual Sensitive Plant Surveys on the Gallatin
National Forest.
INTRODUCTION
Six plant taxa of limited distribution in Montana that had
previously been documented on the Gallatin National Forest were
the focus of individual field surveys. Priority was given to
species included on the U.S. Forest Service list of sensitive
plants for Region 1 (Northern Region) . Section Two provides
details of each survey, followed by recommendations for
management and/or further research. Identification of field
collections followed Dorn (1984) , Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973)
Hitchcock et al. (1969) , and Hitchcock and Chase (1950) .
Acroseris sp. nov.
I. SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION
1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aqoseris sp. nov.
2. COMMON NAME: Pink agoseris
3. FAMILY: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
4. GENUS: According to Cronquist (1955), there are
seven species of Aqosetis occurring in the
northwestern United States (not including the
undescribed species discussed here) , and one
species occurring in South America.
5. SPECIES: The Aqoseris species studied in this
survey has not yet been formally described in the
scientific literature, but the publication is in
progress (Moseley et al. , in revision) . Specimens
have been collected in Lemhi County, Idaho and
Beaverhead, Deerlodge, Madison, Park and Sweet
Grass counties, Montana.
B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS
1. FEDERAL STATUS
a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: Aqoseris sp.
nov. is not currently listed in the U.S.F.W.S,
Notice of Review (U.S. Department of Interior
1985) .
b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Aqoseris sp. nov. is
currently included on the list of sensitive
species for Region 1 (Northern Region) of the
U.S. Forest Service (U.S. Department of
Agriculture 1988) .
2. STATE: Aqoseris sp. nov. is currently listed by
the Montana Natural Heritage Program (Shelly 1989)
as "critically imperiled in the state" (state rank
= SI) . This state rank does not currently provide
any direct legal protection for Aqoseris sp. nov.
Through its inclusion on the Region 1 sensitive
plant list, the taxon has legal protection under
U.S. Forest Service agency policies (W. Ruediger,
pers. comm. ) .
37
C. DESCRIPTION
1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Aqoseris sp.
nov. is a medium-sized perennial herb from a
taproot. The crown may be simple or branched.
Leaves all arise from the base, and 1-3 leafless
flowering stems are produced. Leaves are smooth,
thin, and longer than wide, and are 6-20 cm long.
The acute leaf tips have a sharp, slender purple
tip. Each flowering stem bears a single dandelion-
like head of pink flowers. Below the heads are
green bracts with purple mottling and woolly bases.
2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Perennial herb from a
slender taproot; caudex simple or branched,
producing a basal rosette and 1-3 scapes. Leaves
oblanceolate, 6-20 cm long, 0.7-2.2 cm wide, entire
to toothed distally, glabrous, apex acute, with a
purple mucro, base narrowed to a long petiole;
petiole narrowly to broadly winged, sheathing at
the base, margins villous with spreading,
multicellular hairs; scape 6-49 cm high, villous at
the base, becoming tomentose beneath the solitary
head; involucre campanulate, subequal, becoming
imbricate in fruit; phyllaries lanceolate, in 3-4
series, inner acute, outer may be blunter and
broader, light green with a purple medial stripe
and purple mottling over all, outer ones densely
villous at base; flowers all ligulate, 50-70 per
head, perfect, light pink at emergence, drying to
deep pink; achenes terete, gradually tapering to a
slender beak; pappus double, of numerous capillary
bristles (adapted from Moseley et al . , in
revision) .
3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: Aqoseris sp. nov. is
similar in habit to Aqoseris aurantiaca, a common
species that is widespread in mountain meadows.
The flowers of A. aurantiaca emerge burnt orange
and often dry purplish in color. The flowers of
Aqoseris sp. nov. are pink at emergence. The two
species are also distinguishable on the basis of
habitat; A. aurantiaca occurs in moist to dry,
well-drained meadows, while Aqoseris sp. nov. is
found in wet meadows where the soil is saturated
through the growing season (Moseley et al . , in
revision) .
D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
1. RANGE: Aqoseris sp. nov. is known from Lemhi
County, Idaho, and southwestern and southcentral
Montana.
38
CURRENT SITES (GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST) : Agoseris
sp. nov. is recently documented (1989) from one
site on the Gallatin National Forest, and was
collected in 1980 from a second site on the Forest.
The location of the population found in 1989 is
provided in the element occurrence print-out on p.
40, and is indicated on the map on p. 41. Field
surveys were conducted by the author on 31 July
1989 and 10 August 1989.
HISTORICAL SITES: The population of Agoseris sp.
nov. represented by the 1980 collection was the
focus of the 1989 field survey by the author. The
collection (Lackschewitz 9421, MONTU) was made in
the vicinity of Sunlight Peak in the Crazy
Mountains. The survey was not successful, due to
logistical difficulties encountered in trying to
reach the site (the trail is washed out just below
the pass from the Sunlight Creek drainage over to
Sunlight Lake) . There was insufficient time for a
second attempt to reach the area from the east
side. The existing information on this population
is provided in the element occurrence print-out on
p. 42.
E . HABITAT
1. ASOCIATED VEGETATION: Agoseris sp. nov. occurs in
wet meadows at high elevations. The site found in
1989 occurs in openings of Pinus albicaulis
(whitebark pine) stands, with grasses, sedges and
the following forbs:
Antennaria alpina (alpine pussytoes)
Polygonum bistortoides (American bistort)
Potentilla diversifolia (diverse-leaved cinquefoil)
Veronica wormskjoldii (American alpine speedwell)
2. TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS: At the currently documented
site, Agoseris sp. nov. occurs on level ground at
2850 m. (9500 ft.). The subalpine meadow soils are
saturated throughout the growing season.
POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY AND BIOLOGY
1. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: The extent of the
Agoseris sp. nov. population in the Haystack and
Monument Peaks vicinity (occurrence 007) is unknown
at this time. The species was found during a
survey for another species, and time was not
available for a full survey of the site. Much
suitable habitat was observed in the area.
2. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY: Many Agoseris species
39
reproduce by the sexual production of seeds.
Single seeds are enclosed in achenes with
persistent pappuses, which aid in airborne
transport. The plants collected at the Haystack
and Monument Peaks site were small, with unbranched
caudices and single flowering stems. This suggests
a relatively young age for the individuals
collected, but may not reflect the age structure of
the whole population.
G. LAND OWNERSHIP: Both populations of Aqoseris sp. nov. ,
as represented by the 1980 and 1989 collections, occur
wholly on Gallatin National Forest lands.
II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. THREATS TO KNOWN POPULATIONS (GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST) :
The meadows containing Aqoseris sp. nov. in the Haystack
and Monument Peaks area lie just north, and outside, of
the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area boundary. The
area is frequented by trail bikers, who access the site
via primitive roads leading to the abandoned
Independence Mine.
B. FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT NEEDS: More detailed
information regarding the occurrence and distribution of
Aqoseris sp. nov. in Montana is needed. Little is known
of the range and abundance of this species. Further
surveys of likely mountain habitats could indicate
whether Aqoseris sp. nov. is a typical subalpine meadow
element, or whether it is truly rare, and restricted in
both range and abundance. The Aqoseris sp. nov.
population in the Haystack and Monument Peaks vicinity
should be revisited for more detailed documentation. At
the same time the impact of off-road vehicle use on the
population should be assessed.
C. SUMMARY: Aqoseris sp. nov. is a species being newly
described. Its extent and abundance in Montana, and on
the Gallatin National Forest, is poorly known. Based on
its occurrence in Lemhi County, Idaho and in counties of
southwest and southcentral Montana, it could, at this
time, be designated as a regional endemic' Aqoseris sp.
nov. is known from two sites on the Gallatin National
Forest. The size and condition of these populations is
not fully documented at this time. Detailed
documentation of both sites, and further surveys in
other likely areas on the Gallatin National -Forest, are
needed.
AGOSERIS SP 1
PINK AGOSERIS
Element occurrence code: PDAST090C0 . 007
Global rank: G2 Forest Service status: WATCH LIST
State rank: SI
Survey site name: HAYSTACK / MONUMENT PEAKS
County: Sweet Grass
USGS quadrangle: HAYSTACK PEAK
Township-range: 007S012E Section: 27
Township-range comments: NE4,22SE4
Survey date: 1989-07-31 Elevation: 9450
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 0-3% / EAST
Last observation: 1989-07-31 Size (acres) : 0
Location:
ABSAROKA-BEARTOOTH MOUNTAINS, EAST FORK BOULDER RIVER
DRAINAGE, BASIN JUST NORTH OF BLUE LAKE, CA. 1 AIR MILE
NORTHEAST OF MONUMENT PEAK, AND 1 AIR MILE NORTHWEST OF
HAYSTACK PEAK.
Element occurrence data:
UNKNOWN; POPULATION NOT FULLY SURVEYED, ADDITIONAL FIELD
WORK NEEDED; MEADOWS IMPACTED BY ROADS AND OFF-ROAD TRAIL
BIKE USE.
General site description:
WET SUBALPINE MEADOW IN WHITEBARK PINE OPENING, WITH
ANTENNARIA ALPINA, POLYGONUM BISTORTOIDES , POTENTILLA
DIVERSIFOLIA, VERONICA WORMSKJOLDII .
Land owner/manager:
ABSAROKA-BEARTOOTH WILDERNESS AREA
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, BIG TIMBER RANGER DISTRICT
Comments:
VOUCHER - MATHEWS, S. (265), 1989, MONT; IDENTIFICATION
VERIFIED BY R. MOSELEY, IDNHP.
Information source:
MATHEWS, SARAH. DEPT. OF BIOLOGY, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY,
BOZEMAN, MT 59717.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
42
AGOSERIS SP 1
PINK AGOSERIS
Element occurrence code: PDAST090C0 . 006
Global rank: G2 Forest Service status: WATCH LIST
State rank: SI
Survey site name: SUNLIGHT BASIN
County: Park
USGS quadrangle: CAMPFIRE LAKE
Township-range: 004N011E Section: 08
Township-range comments: SW4
Survey date: 1980-07-31 Elevation: 9280
First observation: 1980 Slope/aspect:
Last observation: 1980-07-31 Size (acres): 0
Location:
BELOW NORTH SLOPE OF SUNLIGHT PEAK, CRAZY MOUNTAINS.
Element occurrence data:
UNKNOWN.
General site description:
MOIST MEADOW.
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, BIG TIMBER RANGER DISTRICT
Comments :
BORDERS WATERSHED 10070003.
Information source:
LACKSCHEWITZ K.H. (9421). 1980. MONTU.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
Aquileqia brevistyla
I. SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION
1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: AcmJlegia brevistyla Hook.
2. COMMON NAME: Small-flowered columbine
3. FAMILY: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
4. GENUS: According to Hitchcock and Cronquist
(1964) , there are nearly 70 species of Aquileqia .
They are distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and
are mostly montane.
5. SPECIES: Aquileqia brevistyla is a far
northwestern species, occurring in Alaska and
extending across northern British Columbia and
Alberta to Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota.
B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS
1. FEDERAL STATUS
a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: Aquileqia
brevistyla is not currently listed in the
U.S.F.W.S. Notice of Review (U.S. Department
of Interior 1985) .
b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Aquileqia brevistyla is
currently included on the list of sensitive
species for Region 1 ( Northern Region) of the
U.S. Forest Service (U.S. Department of
Agriculture 1988) .
2. STATE: Aquileqia brevistyla is currently listed by
the Montana Natural Heritage Program (Shelly 1989)
as "critically imperiled in the state" (state rank
= SI) . This state rank does not currently provide
any direct legal protection for A. brevistyla.
Through its inclusion on the Region 1 sensitive
plant list, the taxon has legal protection under
U.S. Forest Service agency policies (W. Ruediger,
pers. comm. ) .
C. DESCRIPTION .
1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Aquileqia
brevistyla is a slender perennial herb with few
branches. Plants have a cluster of leaves from the
44
base on long stems, and a few leaves on the
flowering stem on very short stems. The basal
leaves are divided into six lobed segments, while
the stem leaves are merely lobed. The showy blue
and white flowers often hang downward on curved
stems. The flowers have five blue sepals and five
white petals which have tubular extensions, or
spurs. The spurs of A. brevistyla are relatively
short, and are hooked at the ends. Plants bloom in
June and July.
2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Slender perennial herb, 2-
8 dm, sparingly branched, glabrous to glandular and
pubescent; basal leaves triternate, on long
petioles; stem leaves few, lobed, nearly sessile;
flowers showy, 1.5-2.5 cm long, nodding or
ascending; sepals 5, blue to purple, oblong-
lanceolate, clawed; petals creamy white, blades
about same length as sepals, spur bluish, hooked,
6-8 mm long; styles and stamens only slightly
exceeding the petals; stamens many; follicles 5,
pubescent, 2-2.5 cm long, their beaks 2-5 mm long
(adapted from Hitchcock and Cronquist 1964, Moss
1959) .
3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: Aquileqia brevistyla is
similar in habit and habitat to the other
columbines encountered in southwestern Montana.
Aquileqia flavescens (yellow columbine) , probably
the species most commonly encountered, has yellow
to pinkish flowers with long, slightly incurved
spurs. Aquileqia coerulea (Colorado columbine) ,
another species with blue and white flowers, also
occurs on the Gallatin National Forest. It is
distinguished from A. brevistyla by its longer
spurs (2-4 cm) which are nearly to quite straight.
All three species may be found in woodland or
meadow habitats, and in rock crevices.
D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
1. RANGE: Aquileqia brevistyla is a species of
northwestern North America, occurring from Alaska
to northern British Columbia, across Alberta to
Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota.
2. CURRENT SITES (GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST): There
are no currently documented occurrences of
Aquileqia brevistyla on the Gallatin National
Forest.
3. HISTORICAL SITES: One collection, made in 1967
from the Boulder River above McLeod, may represent
a population of A. brevistyla. The specimen.
45
collected by L. Thornton (no accession or
collection number; housed at MONT, Bozeman) , was
pressed in such a way that it is difficult to
properly measure the flower parts for positive
identification. The area of this collection was
surveyed by the author on 28-30 July 1989. No
populations of either A. brevistyla or A. coerulea
were found, although A. f lavescens was frequently
observed. The existing information for this record
is provided in the element occurrence print-out on
p. 47.
4. AREAS SURVEYED BUT TAXON NOT LOCATED: The
following areas along the Boulder River, in the
vicinity of the 1967 collection, were surveyed for
Aquileqia brevistyla. The area from Hell's Canyon
Campground to Hick's Park Campground was surveyed
less extensively than the area below Hell's Canyon.
Areas actually surveyed were smaller in most cases
than the portions of the sections listed, as the
survey was concentrated on riverbanks and nearby
woodland habitats.
a. T4S, R12E, Section 23, NE 1/4, SE 1/4
Section 24, SW 1/4
Section 25, W 1/2
Section 26, E 1/2
Section 36, W 1/2
T5S, R12E, Section 1, W 1/2
Section 12, W 1/2
Section 13, NW 1/4
Section 23, E 1/2
Section 26, NE 1/4
Sections 34 & 35, border
T6S, R12E, Section 4, E 1/2
Section 9, E 1/2
Section 16, E 1/2
Section 21, W 1/2
E. HABITAT: According to Moss (1959) , Aquileqia brevistyla
is a species of meadows, open woods and rock crevices,
"occurring occasionally throughout . . . forested areas"
within its range.
F. LAND OWNERSHIP: Lands along the Boulder River are under
both private and U.S. Forest Service ownership. It is
not certain whether the 1967 collection was taken from
public or private lands.
II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. THREATS: Lands along the Boulder River are heavily used
for recreation and firewood cutting. Either activity
might alter the habitat in such a way as to threaten
viability of a population of Aquileqia brevistyla.
B. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Although the
lands along the Boulder River "20 miles above the town
of McLeod" were extensively searched during the 1989
survey, Aquileqia brevistyla was not found, nor was A.
coerulea. For an A. brevistyla survey, timing was
correct. The species blooms primarily in June, and the
Boulder River collection was made 4 July 1967. If the
1967 collection actually represents A. coerulea, plants
could bloom as late as August, and the timing of further
surveys should be extended across the growing season.
Another consideration in planning future surveys is the
very general nature of the location data given for the
1967 collection. The herbarium label states that the
plant was collected "along the Boulder River, 20 miles
above the town of McLeod," While this vicinity might
again be a good starting point, it is difficult to know
whether the label mileage was estimated, or clocked on
an odometer. Consideration was given to the question of
whether the main Boulder River, or its east or west
forks, were actually visited by the collector. It was
decided that the main Boulder River was correct, and the
survey was conducted in that drainage.
C. SUMMARY: Aquileqia brevistyla is a northwestern North
American species that may have its southernmost
occurrence along the Boulder River in Sweet Grass
County, Montana. While Hitchcock et al. (1969) state
that the species is "probably not to be found in our
area," an Aquileqia brevistyla specimen of undisputed
identity, from Judith Basin County, Montana, is housed
in the Montana State University Herbarium (MONT #51788) .
A population of A. brevistyla. represented by the 1967
historical collection, was not relocated during surveys
in 1989. Given the heavy use of the main Boulder River
drainage by recreationists and firewood cutters, further
surveys for this species are called for so that possible
threats can be identified and mitigated.
47
AQUILEGIA BREVISTYLA
SMALL-FLOWER COLUMBINE
Element occurrence code: PDRAN0502 0. 002
Global rank: 05 Forest Service status: WATCH LIST
State rank: SI
Survey site name: BOULDER RIVER
County: Sweet Grass
USGS quadrangle: CHROME MOUNTAIN
Township-range: 005S012E Section: 01
Township-range comments:
Survey date: Elevation: 5560
First observation: 1967 Slope/aspect:
Last observation: 1967-07-04 Size (acres) :
Location:
BOULDER RIVER, 20 MILES ABOVE THE TOWN OF MCLEOD (GENERAL
LOCATION) .
Element occurrence data:
IN FRUIT.
General site description:
UNKNOWN .
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, BIG TIMBER RANGER DISTRICT
Comments:
IDENTIFICATION IS QUESTIONABLE; R. DORN: "PROBABLY A.
COERULEA JAMES"; A. PLANTENBERG, 1983: "NO"; S. SHELLY,
"FLORAL MEASUREMENTS INCONCLUSIVE." GENERAL LOCATION;
SURVEYS IN 1989, BY S. MATHEWS, DID NOT LOCATE ANY
POPULATIONS.
Information source:
THORNTON, L. (S.N.). 1967. MONT.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
Balscimorhiza macrophylla
SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION
1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Balsamorhiza macrophylla Nutt.
2. COMMON NAME: Large-leaved balsamroot
3. FAMILY: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
4. GENUS: There are approximately 12 species in the
genus Balsamorhiza (Cronquist 1955) , all occurring
in western North America. Two members of the genus
are widespread in the northern Rocky Mountain
region: B. saqittata and B. incana .
5. SPECIES: Balsamorhiza macrophylla is a Great Basin
species that reaches its northern range limit in
Gallatin County, Montana. Cronquist (1955) notes
that "any two species will hybridize where they
grow together" due to the lack of strong genetic
barriers. However, no obvious hybrids were noted
in the Montana population of B. macrophylla . where
B. saqittata also occurs.
B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS
1. FEDERAL STATUS
a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: Balsamorhiza
macrophylla is not currently listed in the
U.S.F.W.S. Notice of Review (U.S. Department
of Interior 1985) .
b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Balsamorhiza macrophylla
is currently included on the list of sensitive
plant species for Region 1 (Northern Region)
of the U.S. Forest Service (U.S. Department of
Agriculture 1988) .
2. STATE: Balsamorhiza macrophylla is currently
listed by the Montana Natural Heritage Program
(Shelly 1989) as "critically imperiled in the
state" (state rank = SI) . This state rank does not
currently provide any direct legal protection for
B. macrophylla. Through its inclusion on the
Region 1 sensitive plant list, the taxon has legal
protection under U.S. Forest Service agency
policies (W. Ruediger, pers. comm.).
49
C. DESCRIPTION
1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Balsamorhiza
macrophvlla is a robust perennial herb arising from
a large taproot. Several branches may surmount the
taproot. The large (3-6 dm) lobed leaves are
clustered at the base and may be sparsely to
evidently hairy with long hairs. One to several
large sunflower-like heads arise from the center.
The heads consist of yellow tubular flowers in the
center surrounded by yellow ray flowers which are
3.5-5.5 cm long. Montana plants bloom in June and
July.
2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Robust perennial herb from
a taproot surmounted by erect branches arising
underground; leaves 3-6 dm long divided into large
few-toothed to entire segments 5-12 cm long,
glandular below, sparsely to evidently hirsute
above; stems 3-10 dm; heads large, subtended by
long, leafy bracts which may surpass the disk;
achenes glabrous (adapted from Cronquist 1955) .
3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: Balsamorhiza macrophvlla
is easily distinguished from the more common B.
saqittata by its segmented leaves. In addition,
the leaves of B. macrophvlla lack the dense leaf
pubescence of B. saqittata. and therefore appear
greener.
D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
1. RANGE: Balsamorhiza macrophvlla is a Great Basin
species occurring in the Wasatch area of northern
Utah, extending into the mountains of southeast
Idaho, through western Wyoming to the edge of the
Snake River plains, then extending east to Clark
County, Idaho and north to Gallatin County, Montana
(Cronquist 1955) .
2. CURRENT SITES (MONTANA): Balsamorhiza macrophvlla
is currently known from only one site in Montana.
This site occurs on Gallatin National Forest lands.
Location data are provided in the element
occurrence print-out, p. 53, and the population
location is indicated on the map on p. 54.
Photographs are provided on pp. 55-56. Field
surveys were conducted by the author and Lisa
Schassberger (Montana Natural Heritage Program) on
16 June 1989, and by the author on 5-6 July 1989, 3
August 1989, and 24 August 1989.
3. HISTORICAL SITES (MONTANA): Two collections of
Balsamorhiza macrophvlla from the Gallatin National
Forest exist in the Montana State University
Herbarium (MONT) , Bozeman. It is believed that the
survey in the vicinity of the Cinnamon Creek Ranger
Station was successful in relocating the June 1928
collection from this area. The second collection
was from the Cabin Creek area, north of Hebgen
Lake, in July 1931. An extensive survey to
relocate the population represented by the latter
collection was not successful. There is much
seemingly suitable meadow habitat in the Cabin
Creek drainage, although these sites vary in both
exposure and species composition from the site
where Balsamorhiza macrophvlla was found in the
vicinity of Cinnamon Creek. The collection
predates the 1959 earthquake, which noticeably
affected the Cabin Creek scarp. The existing
information for this historical record is provided
in the element occurrence print-out on p. 57.
4. AREAS SURVEYED BUT TAXON NOT LOCATED: Habitats in
the vicinities of the historical collections which
appeared suitable on topographic maps were surveyed
and are listed below:
a. T8S, R4E, Section 22, SW 1/4, SE 1/4
Section 27, NW 1/4
Section 28, NE 1/4, SE 1/4
b. TllS, R3E, Section 1, NW 1/4, NE 1/4, SE 1/4
TllS, R4E, Section 6, NW 1/4, SW 1/4
Section 5, NE 1/4, NW 1/4, SE 1/4
Section 4, SW 1/4
HABITAT
ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: In the Cinnamon Creek
vicinity, Balsamorhiza macrophylla occurs on two
types of sites. The main population is found in a
sagebrush-forb community on a gently sloping open
ridgetop. Outliers are scattered through the
Douglas-f ir/lodgepole pine forest, and in meadow
openings on east-facing slopes below. The lower
sites are steeper and rockier and support a
different combination of plant species. Species
associated with the main ridgetop population
include:
Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush)
Castilleia miniata (scarlet paintbrush)
Delphinium bicolor (little larkspur)
Delphinium occidentale (western larkspur)
Festuca sp. (fescue)
Geranium viscosissimum (sticky geranium)
Heracleum lanatum (cow-parsnip)
LithophracfKia parvif lora (smallf lowered fringecup)
Lomatium triternatum (nine-leaf lomatium)
Lupinus arqenteus (silvery lupine)
Melica spectabilis (showy oniongrass)
Myosotis alpestris (wood forget-me-not)
Poa sp. (bluegrass)
Populus tremuloides (aspen)
Potentilla gracilis (slender cinquefoil)
Plant species associated with the scattered
subpopulations include:
Amelanchier alnifolia (western snowberry)
Antennaria microphylla (rosy pussytoes)
Arenaria conqesta (capitate sandwort)
Artemisia tridentata (big sage)
Balsamorhiza sagittata (arrowleaf balsamroot)
Berberis repens (creeping Oregongrape)
Bromus carinatus (California brome)
Danthonia unispicata (onespike danthonia)
Eriogonum umbellatum (sulfurf lower)
Juniperus communis (common juniper)
Microseris nutans (nodding microseris)
Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass)
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir)
2. TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS: Populations of Balsamorhiza
macrophvlla in the Cinnamon Creek vicinity occur on
open east-facing slopes, from 2300 m. (7100 ft.) to
2500 m. (7400 ft.)* The slope supporting the main
population is gentle (8-15%) . The soil is loamy
and without rocks. The plant community indicates a
moderately moist site. Subpopulations are found on
45% slopes where the soils are rockier with more
clay, and tend to be more closely associated with
Douglas-fir trees or saplings which are scattered
in the openings.
F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY AND BIOLOGY
1. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY: Balsamorhiza macrophvlla
reproduces by seed. Seeds give rise to plants
producing large taproots and which become
relatively long-lived perennials.
2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: The main population
of Balsamorhiza macrophylla at Cinnamon Creek
consists of well over 1000 individuals.- The
subpopulations together total around 100 plants.
It was estimated that at least 10% of the total is
made up of young plants, i.e., those in leaf only
and with unbranched crowns. Mature plants were
vigorous.
3. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS: It was noted that
Balsamorhiza sagittata is associated with the main
population of Balsamorhiza macrophylla only at its
lower edge where it meets the forest boundary. On
the steeper, rockier sites where subpopulations of
Balsamorhiza macrophylla are found, B. sagittata is
the more common species. No hybridization was
evident.
II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. THREATS TO THE POPULATION: Braided horse trails are
extensive on the lower, steeper slopes where the
subpopulations occur. The associated erosion and
mechanical damage are the most serious threats to the
Balsamorhiza macrophylla population. The main trail
from the Cinnamon Creek Ranger Station to Taylor Fork
winds through the ridgetop population of B. macrophylla.
The trail is used by both trail bikers and horseback
riders. Off trail riding by either of these users poses
a threat of physical damage to the population.
B. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPDALTIONS: The
braided trails are presumably made by riders from the
320 Ranch traveling the slopes upward to join the
ridgetop trail to Taylor Fork. Provision of a single
well-marked trail skirting the lower Balsamorhiza
macrophylla populations would very simply avoid further
damage to them. In a similar way, trail bikers were
observed crossing the terrain off trail from their
starting point at the Cinnamon Creek Ranger Station
until they found the main trail. Monitoring of off-
trail use should be a priority.
C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: The trail to
Taylor Fork should provide good access to meadows in
T9S, R4E, Sections 3 & 4, which may be likely habitat
for Balsamorhiza macrophylla. Further surveys along the
Middle and South forks of Cabin Creek are also
recommended.
D. SUMMARY: Balsamorhiza macrophylla is a Great Basin and
Snake River Plains species that has its northernmost
known occurrence in Montana, in the vicinity of Cinnamon
Creek Ranger Station on the Gallatin National Forest.
While there is much seemingly suitable habitat for the
species between this disjunct site and the main range of
the species, Balsamorhiza macrophylla has not been
recently recorded at other sites in Montana. The single
population currently known in Montana occurs on Gallatin
National Forest lands, and could easily be protected at
this time following the recommendations made above.
53
BALSAMORHIZA MACRO PHYLLA
LARGE-LEAFED BALSAMROOT
Element occurrence code: PDAST11070. 001
Global rank: G3G4 Forest Service status: WATCH LIST
State rank: SI
Survey site name: TAYLOR FORK TRAIL (FLINTS/CINNAMON CREEK)
County: Gallatin
USGS quadrangle: SUNSHINE POINT
Township-range: 008S004E Section: 33
Township-range comments: NE4 ; 28SE4SE4 ; 27SW4SW4
Survey date: 1989-07-06 Elevation: 7400
First observation: 1928 Slope/aspect: 8-15%, 35% /
VERTICAL/EAST
Last observation: 1989-07-06 Size (acres) : 30
Location:
GALLATIN RIVER DRAINAGE, RIDGE BETWEEN FLINTS AND CINNAMON
CREEKS, 0.5-1.0 AIR MILES WEST OF U.S. HWY 191, CA . 5 MILES
NORTHWEST OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY.
Element occurrence data:
LARGE POPULATION, 1001-10,000 PLANTS; MAIN POPULATION ON
OPEN RIDGETOP, FOUR OUTLYING CLUSTERS ON STEEPER SLOPES
BELOW; HORSE TRAILS AND TRAIL BIKE USE HAVE RESULTED IN
TRAMPLING AND EROSION.
General site description:
LOAM OR CLAY LOAM SOILS; SAGEBRUSH-FORB HABITAT BELOW
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/PINUS CONTORTA FOREST, WITH POPULUS
TREMULOIDES, DELPHINIUM SPP. , GERANIUM VISCOSISSIMUM,
LUPINUS ARGENTEUS, HERACLEUM LANATUM, LOMATIUM TRITERNATUM,
MELICA SPECTABILIS, FESTUCA, POA.
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, HEBGEN LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
Comments :
VOUCHER - MATHEWS, S. (150), 1989, MONT; PROBABLE
VERIFICATION OF HISTORICAL COLLECTION SITE: WHITE, E.P.
(140), 1928, SPECIMEN #60460, RM (USES).
Information source:
MATHEWS, SARAH. DEPT. OF BIOLOGY, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY,
BOZEMAN, MT 59717.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
55
Balsamorhiza macrophylla - Taylor Fork Trail (Flints/Cinnamon
Creek) site (001) .
56
Balsamorhiza macrophylla - Taylor Fork Trail (Flints/Cinnamon
Creek) site (001) .
57
BALSAMORHIZA MACRO PHYLLA
LARGE-LEAFED BALSAMROOT
Element occurrence code: PDAST11070 . 003
Global rank: G3G4 Forest Service status: WATCH LIST
State rank: SI
Survey site name: CABIN CREEK
County: Gallatin
USGS quadrangle: PIKA POINT
Township-range: 011S004E Section: 05
Township-range comments: E2
Survey date: 1931-07-14 Elevation: 7520
First observation: 1931 Slope/aspect: - / SOUTH
Last observation: 1931-07-14 Size (acres) : 0
Location:
5 MILES UP CABIN CREEK FROM HIGHWAY. ABOUT 2 0 MILES
NORTHWEST OF WEST YELLOWSTONE. ABOUT 5 AIR MILES NORTH OF
HEBGEN LAKE.
Element occurrence data:
SCARCE.
General site description:
SOUTH SLOPE; DRY GRAVELLY SOIL; OPEN HILLSIDES.
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, HEBGEN LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
Comments:
POPULATION NOT RELOCATED DURING FIELD SURVEYS BY S. MATHEWS
IN 1989.
Information source:
WHITHAM AND WHITE (78). 1931. MT.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
58
Castilleia qracillima
I. SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION
1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Castilleia qracillima Rydb .
2. COMMON NAME: Slender paintbrush
3. FAMILY: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family)
4. SPECIES: Castilleia qracillima is a narrowly
distributed species found in northwest Wyoming,
adjacent Montana and central Idaho. According to
Ownbey (Hitchcock et al. 1959) , C. qracillima has
affinities with C. sulphurea and C. miniata , but is
distinguishable from them.
5. GENUS: Castilleia consists of 150-200 species
(Hitchcock et al. 1959) , distributed in western
North and South America. The greatest number of
species occurs in the western United States.
Hybridization and polyploid complexes are common in
the genus, and are the source of taxonomic
difficulties.
B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS
1. FEDERAL STATUS
a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: Castilleia
qracillima is not currently listed in the
U.S.F.W.S. Notice of Review (U.S. Department
of Interior 1985) .
b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Castilleia qracillima is
currently included on the list of sensitive
species for Region 1 (Northern Region) of the
U.S. Forest Service (U.S. Department of
Agriculture 1988) .
2. STATE: Castilleia qracillima is currently listed
by the Montana Natural Heritage Program (Shelly
1989) as "possibly in peril in the Montana, status
uncertain; more information needed" (state rank =
SU) . This state rank does not currently provide
any direct legal protection for C. qracillima.
Through its inclusion on the Region 1 sensitive
plant list, the taxon has legal protection under
U.S. Forest Service agency policies (W. Ruediger,
pers. comm. ) .
59
C. DESCRIPTION
1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Castille-ia
qracillima is a perennial herb with slender stems
arising more or less distantly from one another.
The stems are usually unbranched and grow 2-5 dm
tall. Leaves are longer than wide and may be
lance-shaped, or they may be narrower and have
sides which are parallel to one another. Stems and
leaves are smooth to hairy. The inflorescence is
made up of green tubular flowers, each with two
lips. The upper lip forms an extension nearly as
long as the tubular portion, and the lower lip is
reduced to three small teeth. Below each flower is
an oblong bract which is yellow to orange. In
Montana, plants bloom from late June to August.
2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Slender perennial from a
rhizome or remote woody caudex, 2-5 dm, usually
unbranched, glabrous to villous; leaves entire,
linear to lanceolate; inflorescence yellow to
orange or sometimes red; bracts oblong, entire to
lobed distally with a pair of lateral lobes,
villous-puberulent; calyx 15-22 mm, deeply
subequally cleft above and below, the primary lobes
divided into 2 acute segments 2-4 mm long; corolla
20-30 mm, galea densely puberulent, shorter than
the tube and about 5 times as long as the dark
green lower lip (adapted from Hitchcock et al.
1959) .
D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
1. RANGE: Castilleja qracillima is a regional endemic
occurring in northwestern Wyoming and adjacent
Montana, and extending to central Idaho.
2. CURRENT SITES (GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST):
Castilleja qracillima is known from two sites on
the Gallatin National Forest. Both sites are near
the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park, one
along Grayling Creek, and the other on the Gallatin
River. Location data providing legal and
topographic details are provided in the element
occurrence print-outs, pp. 64 and 66, and the maps,
pp. 65 and 67. Photographs are provided on pp. 68-
69. Between these two sites, populations of C.
qracillima occur along both drainages on
Yellowstone National Park lands. Field surveys
were conducted by the author on 7 July 1989 and 2
August 1989.
3. HISTORICAL SITES (GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST): Two
historical collections of Castilleia qracillima
60
represent populations occurring on Gallatin
National Forest lands. It is believed that the
site of the original Grayling Creek population was
rediscovered in the July 1989 survey. A second
historical site was recorded in the Gallatin Canyon
at "Daly Creek." There is a Dailey Creek joining
the Gallatin River on Yellowstone Park lands. The
lands to the west of the river in this vicinity are
State of Montana lands (Gallatin Wildlife
Management Area) or Gallatin National Forest lands.
No populations of C. qracillima were located in
this area, on Forest, State or Park lands. The
site is represented by a poor specimen of uncertain
identification (RM #70471) . Descriptive data for
the historical site ("10% east slope. Shallow
coarse soil. Woodland.") is not characteristic of
sites where C. qracillima is found.
4. AREAS SURVEYED BUT TAXON NOT LOCATED: Suitable
habitat along the Gallatin River, from the
Yellowstone National Park boundary to Big Sky, was
surveyed for Castilleja qracillima. The population
near Snowflake Springs (007) was the only one
located along the Gallatin River outside
Yellowstone National Park.
E. HABITAT
ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: Castilleja qracillima
occurs in wet meadows where the soil is saturated
during at least part of the growing season.
Species found growing with C. qracillima at the
Grayling Creek site include:
Arnica chamissonis ssp. foliosa (leafy arnica)
Astraqalus miser (weedy milk-vetch)
Carex spp. (sedges)
Castilleja miniata (scarlet paintbrush)
Epilobium qlaberrimum (smooth willow-herb)
Equisetum sp. (horsetail)
Geranium richardsonii (white geranium)
Geum macrophvllum (largeleaved avens)
Habenaria dilatata (white bog-orchid)
Lonicera involucrata (bearberry honeysuckle)
Pedicularis qroenlandica (elephant's head)
Phleum pratense (timothy)
Potentilla qracilis (slender cinquefoil)
Prunella vulqaris (self-heal)
Salix spp. (willows)
Plant species associated with Castilleja qracillima
at the Snowflake Springs site include:
Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush)
61
Betula glandulosa (bog birch)
Campanula rotundifolia (harebell)
Castilleia miniata (scarlet paintbrush)
Eriogonum umbel latum (sulfurf lower)
Galium boreale (northern bedstraw)
Gentianopsis detonsa (fringed gentian)
Geranium richardsonii (white geranium)
Geum macrophvllum (largeleaved avens)
Habenaria hyperborea (northern green bog-orchid)
Heracleum lanatum (cow-parsnip)
Mimulus quttatus (yellow monkey-flower)
Potentilla fruticosa (shrubby cinquefoil)
Rhamnus alnifolia (alder buckthorn)
Rorippa nasturtium-aqua ticum (water-cress)
Rudbeckia occidentalis (black head)
Salix wolf ii (Wolf's willow)
Senecio crassulus (thick-leaved groundsel)
Senecio serra (butterweed groundsel)
Solidaqo canadensis (Canadian goldenrod)
Symphoricarpos albus (snowberry)
2. TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS: Castilleja qracillima was
found to occur at the edges of running water, on
stream or river bottoms, or on slopes of nearly 10%
at Snowflake Springs. Streamside or bottom sites
are sandy or gravelly, while the Snowflake Springs
site occurs on a vegetated limestone terrace that
was deposited by the springs.
F. POPULATION BIOLOGY, DEMOGRAPHY T^D ECOLOGY
1. PHENOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY: Castilleja
qracillima blooms from June to August in Montana.
The inflorescence elongates as fruiting begins, the
bracts remaining colorful through July as seed set
begins. Castillejas produce many seeds following
out-crossing with other individuals. Hummingbirds
and insects are the usual pollination agents. The
seeds are very light and easily airborne.
Castilleia qracillima is one of the few species
that is at least partially rhizomatous. New
individuals may therefore arise as a result of
either sexual or vegetative reproduction.
2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: Populations of
Castilleia qracillima were observed to be vigorous,
but restricted in the area they covered. Up to
1000 plants occur at the Snowflake Springs site,
covering an area of 2-5 acres. This estimate is
based on the number of ramets (above-ground stems)
rather than genets (separate individuals) , as
individual genets are not easily discernible
without knowledge of the root system. The Grayling
Creek site supports 100-500 plants on a small sandy
62
peninsula approximately 150 square meters in area,
and in meadows close to the peninsula.
3. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS: It is difficult to define
the factors restricting the distribution of
Castilleia qracillima. Competition is not easily
observed, and soil moisture is more likely to be a
limiting factor. Castilleias are subject to
herbivory by noctuid larvae; however, C. qracillima
does not seem to be as heavily fed upon as many
other species (pers. obs.). Hybridization is
common amongst Castilleia species, and is possibly
responsible for some of the more robust, non-
rhizomatous members of the observed populations.
G. LAND OWNERSHIP: Along Grayling Creek, Castilleia
qracillima occurs on both U.S. Forest Service lands and
Yellowstone National Park lands. The population at
Snowflake Springs may occur at least partially on
private lands that border the springs to the north. The
smaller subpopulations, along the Gallatin River toward
the Park boundary, are on Gallatin National Forest lands
or State of Montana lands (Gallatin Wildlife Management
Area) .
II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. THREATS TO POPULATIONS: Populations of C. qracillima
appear to be stable at this time. The most likely
threats would stem from environmental rather than man-
caused events. Disturbance and re-establishment
probably occur at relatively frequent intervals due to
the stream and river bank habitats where populations
occur.
B. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS:
Recreation in the form of fishing is the main use of the
two Gallatin National Forest sites where C. qracillima
is known to occur. No altered management practices seem
to be called for at this time. Should further surveys
reveal populations in drainages where livestock grazing
takes place, monitoring of such populations would be
called for to assess whether or not livestock use posed
a threat.
C. RECOMMENDATION FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Castilleia
qracillima occurs in Yellowstone National Park in
saturated meadow habitats not so closely associated with
major drainages. Similar habitats in the southern
regions of the Gallatin National Forest may also support
populations of C. qracillima. Potential sites could be
located with the use of topographic maps, and
subsequently surveyed.
63
D. SUMMARY: CastJlleja qracillima is a regional endemic
known from only two sites on the Gallatin National
Forest. Because much of the Gallatin National Forest
does occur within the range of the species, further
surveys are called for to assess the rarity or abundance
of the species on Forest lands.
64
CASTILLEJA GRACILLIMA
SLENDER PAINTBRUSH
Element occurrence code: PDSCR0D150 . 004
Global rank: G3G4 Forest Service status: WATCH LIST
State rank: SU
Survey site name: GRAYLING CREEK
County: Gallatin
USGS quadrangle: RICHARDS CREEK
Township-range: 012S005E Section: 10
Township-range comments: NE4
Survey date: 1989-07-07 Elevation: 6710
First observation: 1938 Slope/aspect: 0-3% / NW
Last observation: 1989-07-07 Size (acres) : 1
Location:
GRAYLING CREEK, CA. 10 MILES NORTH OF WEST YELLOWSTONE ON
U.S. HWY. 191, ALONG CREEK SOUTH OF HWY . , 0.2 MILE EAST OF
JCT. WITH GALLATIN N.F. ROAD 98 6.
Element occurrence data:
100-3 00 STEMS, REPRODUCING VEGETATIVELY AND BY SEED; MANY
PLANTS ARE MORE BRANCHED AND LESS RHIZOMATOUS THAN
DESCRIBED; THESE CHARACTERISTICS AND THE COLOR RANGE MAY
INDICATE HYBRIDIZATION WITH C. MINIATA.
General site description:
SANDY LOAM SOILS AND GRAVELLY BANKS; SALIX-SEDGE-GRASS
BOTTOM, WITH PEDICULARIS GROENLANDICA, PHLEUM PRATENSE,
ASTRAGALUS MISER, HABENARIA DILATATA, GEUM MACROPHYLLUM,
GERANIUM RICHARDSONII, PRUNELLA VULGARIS, LONICERA
INVOLUCRATA, CASTILLEJA MINIATA.
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, HEBGEN LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
Comments:
VOUCHER - MATHEWS, S. (152), 1989, MONT; PROBABLE
VERIFICATION OF HISTORICAL COLLECTION SITE: COTNER, F.B.
(S.N.), 1938, SPECIMEN #47695, MONT.
Information source:
MATHEWS, SARAH. DEPT. OF BIOLOGY, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY,
BOZEMAN, MT 59717.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
CASTILLEJA GRACILLIMA
SLENDER PAINTBRUSH
Element occurrence code: PDSCR0D150 . 007
Global rank: G3G4 Forest Service status: WATCH LIST
State rank: SU
Survey site name: SNOWFLAKE SPRINGS
County: Gallatin
USGS quadrangle: SUNSHINE POINT
Township-range: 009S004E Section: 12
Township-range comments: SE4 ;T9SR5E: 18NE4NW4
Survey date: 1989-08-02 Elevation: 6680
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 8-15% /
NORTH
Last observation: 1989-08-02 Size (acres) : 15
Location:
GALLATIN RIVER DRAINAGE, SNOWFLAKE SPRINGS, AND ALONG THE
RIVER 0.85 AIR MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE SPRINGS, 0.2-1.2 MILES
NORTHWEST OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY, ALONG U.S.
HWY. 191, SOUTH OF ROAD.
Element occurrence data:
1001-10,000 STEMS ESTIMATED, REPRODUCING VEGETATIVELY AND BY
SEED; MANY PLANTS ARE MORE BRANCHED AND LESS RHIZOMATOUS
THAN DESCRIBED; THESE CHARACTERISTICS AND THE COLOR RANGE
INDICATE PROBABLE HYBRIDIZATION WITH C. MINIATA.
General site description:
IN SATURATED MEADOW AROUND LIMESTONE SPRINGS; RIVER
BOTTOM-FOREST ECOTONE, WITH CASTILLEJA MINIATA, ZYGADENUS
ELEGANS, POTENTILLA FRUTICOSA, SALIX WOLFII, MIMULUS
GUTTATUS, GENTIANOPSIS DETONSA, HERACLEUM LANATUM, RHAMNUS
ALNIFOLIA, SYMPHORICARPOS ALBUS .
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, HEBGEN LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
Comments:
VOUCHER - MATHEWS, S. (273), 1989, MONT.
Information source:
MATHEWS, SARAH. DEPT. OF BIOLOGY, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY,
BOZEMAN, MT 59717.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
68
Castilleia qracillima - Grayling Creek site (004)
Castilleia gracillima - Grayling Creek site (004) .
70
Eriqeron eatonii var. eatonii
I. SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION
1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Eriqeron eatonii (Gray) Howell
var. eatonii
2. COMMON NAME: Eaton's daisy
3. FAMILY: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
4. GENUS: According to Cronquist (1955), there are
approximately 200 species of Eriqeron, 130 of which
are centered in the western Cordillera in North
America north of Mexico.
5. SPECIES/VARIETY: Eriqeron eatonii is a species of
mountains and foothills, occurring from northern
Arizona to northern Wyoming and adjacent Montana,
and west into central Washington and California.
Cronquist (1955) recognizes three varieties, each
occupying different portions of the species' range.
Variety eatonii is found from southwest Montana,
Wyoming and southern Idaho southward. Variety
villosus is found in central and western Idaho,
southern Oregon and Washington, while var.
plantaqineus occurs in California, adjacent Nevada
and southern Oregon.
PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS
1. FEDERAL STATUS
a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: Eriqeron
eatonii var. eatonii is not currently listed in the
U.S.F.W.S. Notice of Review (U.S. Department of
Interior 1985) .
b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Eriqeron eatonii var.
eatonii is currently included on the list of
sensitive plant species for Region 1 (Northern
Region) of the U.S. Forest Service (U.S.
Department of Agriculture 1988) .
2. STATE: Eriqeron eatonii var. eatonii is currently
listed by the Montana Natural Heritage Program
(Shelly 1989) as "critically imperiled in the
state" (state rank = SI) . This state rank does not
currently provide any direct legal protection.
Through its inclusion on the Region 1 sensitive
plant list, the taxon has legal protection under
71
U.S. Forest Service agency policies (W. Ruediger,
pers. comm. ) .
C. DESCRIPTION
1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESRIPTION: Eriqeron eatonii
var. eatonii is a medium-sized perennial herb (5-
3 0 cm) from a taproot. The stems and foliage have
appressed hairs. A tuft of leaves, each with three
veins, arises from the base of the plant. These
leaves are longer than wide, are sharp at the tip
and narrowed at the base. The flowering stems
arise from the center of the plant, bearing 1-7
daisy-like heads and several much smaller leaves.
The heads bear many white ray flowers that surround
the center of yellow disk flowers.
2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Perennial from a taproot,
5-30 cm, with appressed hairs; stems decumbent and
purplish at the base; basal leaves tufted, triple-
nerved, entire, acute, tapering to a long petiole;
stem leaves several, reduced; heads 1-7, the
involucre 5-7 mm, distinctly imbricate and
glandular and sometimes slightly hirsute; rays 20-
50, mostly white, 5-10 mm long, 1-3 mm wide; disk
corollas 3.5-5 mm long; inner pappus bristles 15-
2 0 or 25, the outer setose and obscure (adapted
from Cronquist 1955) .
D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
1. RANGE: Eriqeron eatonii var. eatonii is the
northeasternmost-occurring variety of Eriqeron
eatonii. It ranges southward from southwest
Montana, Wyoming and southern Idaho.
2. CURRENT SITES (GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST): No
populations of Eriqeron eatonii var. eatonii are
currently documented on the Gallatin National
Forest.
3. HISTORICAL SITES: One collection of Eriqeron
eatonii var. eatonii was made from the Haystack
Peak area, and represents the only known occurrence
of the variety on the Gallatin National Forest (and
in Montana). The specimen was taken by C.L.
Hitchcock and C.V. Muhlick (13414) on 8 August
1945. The population represented by this
collection was the focus of a survey by the author
on 31 July 1989, but the plants were not relocated.
The existing information for this historical record
is provided in the element occurrence print-out on
p. 73.
72
4. AREAS SURVEYED BUT TAXON NOT LOCATED: Haystack
Peak is in the northwest 1/4 of section 26, TVS,
R12E. Personnel from the Big Timber Ranger
District provided transportation to the Haystack
Peak area, and the area at the north base of the
mountain was surveyed. This was in accordance with
the herbarium label location data. Data from the
label specifically reads, "Stillwater County... at
north base of Mt. Haystack, head of Boulder Creek."
Haystack Peak and the Boulder River are in adjacent
Sweet Grass County, but the county boundaries are
listed as indefinite on the 1942 Cutoff Mountain
Quadrangle (USGS 15' series).
E. LAND OWNERSHIP: If the population represented by
the 1945 collection is relocated in a future survey at
the north base of Haystack Peak, it would lie wholly on
Gallatin National Forest lands, and within the Absaroka-
Beartooth Wilderness Area.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Haystack Peak is
truly at the head of neither the Boulder River nor the East
Boulder River. It is uncertain what the collectors meant by
"head of Boulder Creek." Sheepherder Peak, to the south of
Monument and Haystack peaks, is closer to the vicinity of
the heads of both rivers. If further surveys are conducted
in the area, the heads of both drainages at the base of
Sheepherder Peak might be checked, along with more extensive
surveys of the Haystack and Monument peaks area.
SUMMARY: In Montana, Eriqeron eatonii var. eatonii is a
taxon occurring at the edge of the range for both the
species and the variety. A single historical collection
documents the occurrence of the species on the Gallatin
National Forest. A survey to relocate this population in
1989 was unsuccessful.
73
ERIGERON EATONII SSP EATONII
EATON'S DAISY
Element occurrence code: PDAST3M171 . 001
Global rank: G4T4 Forest Service status: WATCH LIST
State rank: SI
Survey site name: HAYSTACK PEAK
County: Sweet Grass
USGS quadrangle: CUTOFF MOUNTAIN
Township-range: 007S012E Section: 23
Township-range comments:
Survey date: Elevation: 8825
First observation: 1945 Slope/aspect:
Last observation: 1945-08-08 Size (acres) :
Location:
AT NORTH BASE OF MT. HAYSTACK, HEAD OF BOULDER CREEK.
Element occurrence data:
IN FLOWER.
General site description:
MEADOWLAND
Land owner/manager:
ABSAROKA-BEARTOOTH WILDERNESS AREA
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, BIG TIMBER RANGER DISTRICT
Comments:
SPECIMEN LABEL SAYS STILLWATER COUNTY, BUT HAYSTACK PEAK
("MT. HAYSTACK") AND BOULDER RIVER ("CREEK") ARE IN ADJACENT
SWEET GRASS COUNTY; POPULATION NOT RELOCATED DURING FIELD
SEARCHES BY S. MATHEWS IN 1989.
Information source:
HITCHCOCK, C, AND MUHLICK (13414). 1945. WTU.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
74
Salix wolfii var. wolfii
I. SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION
1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Salix wolfii Bebb . var. wolfii
2. COMMON N2^E: Wolf's willow
3. FAMILY: Salicaceae (Willow family)
4. GENUS: Salix is a genus of approximately 300
species (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1964). These are
mostly of the cool temperate regions in the
Northern Hemisphere.
5. SPECIES/VARIETY: Salix wolfii is a Rocky Mountain
species consisting of two varieties. Salix wolfii
var. idahoensis occupies the northwestern part of
the range of the species, while var. wolfii occurs
in the southern portions, "barely entering
southwest Montana" (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1964).
B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS
1. FEDERAL STATUS
a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: Salix wolfii
var. wolfii is not currently listed in the
U.S.F.W.S. Notice of Review (U.S. Department
of Interior 1985) .
b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Salix wolfii var. wolfii
is currently included on the list of sensitive
species for Region 1 (Northern Region) of the
U.S. Forest Service (U.S. Department of
Agriculture 1988) .
2. STATE: Salix wolfii var. wolfii is currently
listed by the Montana Natural Heritage Program
(Shelly 1989) as "critically imperiled in the
state" (state rank = SI) . This state rank does not
currently provide any direct legal protection for
S. wolfii var. wolfii. Through its inclusion on
the Region 1 sensitive plant list, the-taxon has
legal protection under U.S. Forest Service agency
policies (W. Ruediger, pers. comm.).
C. DESCRIPTION
1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Salix wolfii
75
var. wolf ii is a low, spreading shrub of stream and
river banks, growing to a maximum height of 2
meters. The leaves are on short stems with evident
leafy stipules at their bases. The leaf blades
have smooth margins, and are longer than wide, with
sharpish tips. They may be as long as 4.5 cm and
as wide as 1.5 cm. Leaves are silky with soft,
long appressed hairs, appearing grayish, usually
more so below than above. The catkins appear at
the same time as the leaves, on short leafy stems.
Male catkins are 1-2 cm long and usually less than
1 cm thick. Female catkins are 1.5-4 cm long.
Both catkins bear dark brown or black scales which
are persistent and woolly. Capsules of the female
catkins are hairy.
2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Freely branched shrub from
6-20 dm tall; current season twigs sparsely
villous-puberulent ; leaves with petioles 2-10 mm
long and foliaceous stipules 1-5 mm long which may
be glandular-serrate and are sooner or later
deciduous; leaf blades entire, acute, elliptic, 3-
4.5 times as long as wide, up to 4.5 cm long and
1.5 cm wide, sparsely to densely sericeous; aments
coetaneous on short leafy-bracted peduncles, bracts
often over 1 cm; scales dark-brown to black,
persistent, woolly-villous; staminate aments 1-2 cm
long, usually less than 1 cm wide; stamens 2,
filaments glabrous; pistillate aments 1.5-4 cm
long; capsules 3.5-5 mm long, villous-puberulent,
pedicels under 1 mm; style 0.5-1.1 mm long, longer
than the short, bilobed stigma (adapted from
Hitchcock and Cronquist 1964) .
3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: Salix wolfii var. wolfii
forms low, spreading bushes, often not much taller
than surrounding sedges and grasses and usually
less than waist high. The pubescence of the leaves
reflects light and gives the shrubs a silvery-
grayish look.
D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
1. RANGE: Salix wolfii var. wolfii occurs mainly in
Colorado, northeast Utah and Wyoming, entering
southwest Montana and eastern Idaho.
2. CURRENT SITES (GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST): Salix
volfii var. wolfii is recently documented (1989)
from two sites on the Gallatin National Forest.
These sites occur wholly or partially on U.S.
Forest Service lands. Locations, including legal
and topographic data, are provided in the element
occurrence print-outs, pp. 78 and 80, and on the
76
maps on pp. 79 and 81. Photographs are provided on
pp. 82-83. Field surveys were conducted by the
author on 6-7 July 1989 and 2 August 1989.
HISTORICAL SITES (GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST) : A
survey at the Cinnamon Creek Ranger Station was
successful in relocating a population of Salix
wolf ii var. wolf ii collected in 1947. Extending
the survey from Cinnamon Creek to the nearby
Gallatin River confirmed the occurrence of the
species there as well.
E. HABITAT
ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: Salix wolfii var. wolfii
occurs on streambanks and low ground where the
vegetation is dominated by other willows, bog
birch, grasses and sedges. Plants associated with
S. wolfii var. wolfii along Cinnamon Creek include;
Aqrostis variabilis (variant bentgrass)
Artemisia ludoviciana (prairie sage)
Aster eatonii (Eaton's aster)
A. foliaceus (leafy aster)
Astragalus americanus (American milk-vetch)
Betula qlandulosa (bog birch)
Castilleia miniata (scarlet paintbrush)
Gentiana af finis (pleated gentian)
Geum macrophyllum (largeleaved avens)
Glyceria elata (tall mannagrass)
Heracleum lanatum (cow-parsnip)
Mimulus quttatus (yellow monkey-flower)
Phleum pratense (timothy)
Potentilla fruticosa (shrubby cinquefoil)
P. gracilis (slender cinquefoil)
Ribes inerme (whitestem gooseberry)
Symphoricarpos albus (snowberry)
TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS: Salix wolfii var. wolfii
occurs at elevations from 1900 to 2000 m (6400 to
6600 ft.). Populations were found on low ground
associated with streams and riverbanks, in places
where the soil is likely to be saturated during at
least part of the growing season. Soils were
either loams or sandy loams.
F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY AND BIOLOGY
1. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: In the 0.8 km of
streambanks and floodplains surveyed at Cinnamon
Creek (003) , 86 plants were noted. These were
vigorous individuals of unknown age. The number of
plants found along the Gallatin River (004) was not
estimated. These, too, were vigorous individuals
of unknown age.
2. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY: Salix species may reproduce
vegetatively via rooting of decumbent stems, or
sexually by seeds. Although fruits were present on
some plants, no seedlings were observed. Seedlings
could easily have been overlooked, but the age
structure of the population was characterized by at
least 90% mature plants, with about 10% of these
showing partial senescence. Occurrence of suitable
sites for germination is ephemeral, and most likely
varies from year to year; conditions in some years
may result in little or no sexual reproduction.
G. LAND OWNERSHIP: Salix wolf ii var. wolf ii at the
Cinnamon Creek site (003) occurs wholly on Gallatin
National Forest lands. It is probable that the species
also occurs on private lands along the river. Along the
Gallatin River near Snowflake Springs (004), it occurs
on both Gallatin National Forest lands and State of
Montana lands (Gallatin Wildlife Management Area) .
II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. POPULATION CONDITION: Both documented populations of
Salix wolf ii var. wolf ii appear to be stable at this
time.
B. THREATS TO POPULATIONS: Threats to these two
populations of Salix wolf ii var. wolfii appear to be
minimal at this time. Horse pasturing immediately
behind the Cinnamon Creek Ranger Station may cause some
damage to individuals at that site, but is not likely to
severely threaten the viability of the population.
C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: It is likely
that Salix wolfii var. wolfii occurs more extensively in
the northern regions of the Gallatin National Forest and
its extent should be assessed. Surveys should be
conducted at the most likely time of fruiting (mid-June
through July) , as the vestiture of the capsules is
diagnostic of the variety.
D. SUMMARY: Salix wolfii var. wolfii is a southerly
variety of the species which extends into southwest
Montana. In the Gallatin National Forest it is
documented from two sites, both in the Gallatin Canyon.
Further surveys are likely to reveal that the variety
occurs more extensively in the northern regions of the
Gallatin National Forest.
78
SALIX WOLFII VAR WOLFII
WOLF'S WILLOW
Element occurrence code: PDSAL02341 . 003
Global rank: G4T4 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: SI
Survey site name: CINNAMON CREEK RANGER STATION
County: Gallatin
USGS quadrangle: SUNSHINE POINT
Township-range: 008S004E Section: 27
Township-range comments: W2NW4 ; 28E2NE4
Survey date: 1989-08-02 Elevation: 6540
First observation: 1947 Slope/aspect: 0-3% / NE
Last observation: 1989-08-02 Size (acres) : 10
Location:
GALLATIN RIVER DRAINAGE, ALONG CINNAMON CREEK 0.2-0.5 MILE
UPSTREAM FROM ITS CONFLUENCE WITH GALLATIN RIVER, AT
CINNAMON RANGER STATION, CA. 6 MILES NW OF YELLOWSTONE N.P.
BOUNDARY ON U.S. HWY . 191.
Element occurrence data:
8 6 GENETS, ESTIMATED BY APPROXIMATE COUNT; SOME SLIGHT
DAMAGE IN AREAS OF HORSE PASTURING; OCCURS ALONG CREEK
BEGINNING BEHIND BARN AND CONTINUING AN UNKNOWN DISTANCE;
MOSTLY ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION, BUT A FEW SEEDLINGS NOTED.
General site description:
ROCKY CLAY LOAM SOILS; WILLOW-MEADOW BOTTOM CONTAINING
SCATTERED LODGEPOLE PINES, WITH BETULA GLANDULOSA, JUNIPERUS
COMMUNIS, SALIX SPP. , GERANIUM RICHARDSONII , G.
VISCOSISSIMUM, HERACLEUM LANATUM, ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM, GEUM
MACRO PHYLLUM, CAMPANULA ROTUNDI FOLIA.
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, HEBGEN LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
Comments:
VOUCHER - MATHEWS, S. (146, 147), 1989, MONT; PROBABLE
VERIFICATION OF HISTORICAL COLLECTION SITE: WHITE, W.W.
(S.N.), 1947, SPECIMEN #58834, MONTU.
Infommation source:
MATHEWS, SARAH. DEPT. OF BIOLOGY, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY,
BOZEMAN, MT 59717.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
80
SALIX WOLFII VAR WOLFII
WOLF'S WILLOW
Element occurrence code: PDSAL02 341 . 004
Global rank: G4T4 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: SI
Survey site name: GALLATIN RIVER
County: Gallatin
USGS quadrangle: SUNSHINE POINT
Township-range: 009S005E Section: 7
Township-range comments: SW4SW4;18N2
Survey date: 1989-08-02 Elevation: 6680
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: LEVEL
Last observation: 1989-08-02 Size (acres) : 10
Location:
GALLATIN RIVER DRAINAGE, ALONG RIVER ON SOUTHWEST SIDE OF
U.S. HWY. 191, 0.1-0.85 MILES NORTHWEST OF YELLOWSTONE
NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY.
Element occurrence data:
NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS NOT COUNTED; OCCURRENCE IS MORE OR
LESS CONTINUOUS ALONG RIVER IN AREA SURVEYED.
General site description:
LOAM SOILS; WILLOW-GRASS-SEDGE RIVER BOTTOM, WITH BETULA
GLANDULOSA, POLEMONIUM OCCIDENTALE, GENTIANA AFFINIS,
GENTIANOPSIS DETONSA, CASTILLEJA GRACILLIMA.
Land owner/manager:
GALLATIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, HEBGEN LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, BOZEMAN RANGER DISTRICT
Comments:
VOUCHER - MATHEWS, S. (149), 1989, MONT.
Information source:
MATHEWS, SARAH. DEPT. OF BIOLOGY, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY,
BOZEMAN, MT 59717.
Element Occurrence Record - Gallatin National Forest
Montana Natural Heritage Program
82
Salix wolf ii var. wolf ii - Cinnamon Creek Ranger Station site
(003).
83
Salix wolf ii var. wolf ii - Cinnamon Creek Ranger Station site
(003).
84
LITERATURE CITED
Cronquist, A. 1955. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest,
Part 5. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 343 pp.
Dorn, R.D. 1984. Vascular Plants of Montana. Mountain West
Publishing, Cheyenne, Wyoming. 276 pp.
Hermann, R.J. 1970. Manual of the Carices of the Rocky
Mountains and Colorado Basin. U.S.D.A. Agric. Handbook No.
374. 397 pp.
Hitchcock, A.S., and A. Chase. 1950. Manual of the Grasses of
the United States. U.S.D.A. Misc. Publ . No. 200. 1051 pp.
Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, and M. Ownbey. 1959. Vascular
Plants of the Pacific Northwest, Part 4. University of
Washington Press, Seattle. 510 pp.
Hitchcock, C.L., and A. Cronquist. 1964. Vascular Plants of the
Pacific Northwest, Part 2. University of Washington Press,
Seattle. 597 pp.
Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, and M. Ownbey. 1969. Vascular
Plants of the Pacific Northwest, Part 1. University of
Washington Press, Seattle. 914 pp.
Hitchcock, C.L., and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific
Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle.
730 pp.
Lesica, P., G. Moore, K.M. Peterson, and J.H. Rumely. 1984.
Vascular Plants of Limited Distribution in Montana. Vol.
43, Monograph No. 2, Montana Academy of Sciences, Supplement
to the Proceedings. 61 pp.
Moseley, R.K., D. Henderson, and A.F. Cholewa. A new Aqoseris
(Asteraceae) from Montana and Idaho. Syst. Bot. (in
revision) .
Moss, E.H. 1959. Flora of Alberta. University of Toronto
Press, Canada.
Pfister, R.D., B.L. Kovalchik, S.F. Arno, and R.C. Presby. 1977.
Forest Habitat Types of Montana. U.S.D.A. Forest Service
Gen. Tech. Report No. Int-34. 174 pp.
Ross, C.P., D.A. Andrews, and I.J. Witkind. 1955. Geologic Map
of Montana. United States Geological Survey and the Montana
Bureau of Mines and Geology. 1:500,000.
Shelly, J.S. 1989. Plant Species of Special Concern. Montana
Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 22 pp. (mimeo) .
85
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1988. Sensitive Plant Field
Guide, Region 1. U.S. Forest Service, Northern Region,
Range, Air, Watershed, and Ecology Section, Missoula,
Montana.
U.S. Department of Interior. 1985. Endangered and threatened
wildlife and plants; review of plant taxa for listing as
endangered or threatened species: notice of review.
Federal Register 50(188): 39526-39584.
MONTANA
STATE
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